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BANGLADESH is not some Scandinavian heaven. It is poor and overpopulated, undereducated and corrupt, frequented by natural catastrophes, experiences occasional terrorism, and the farcical nature of its democracy was exposed in the December 2018 elections. But the earlier caricature of a country on life support disappeared years ago. Today, some economists say it shall be the next Asian tiger. Its growth rate last year (7.8 per cent) put it at par with India (8.0pc) and well above Pakistan (5.8pc). The debt per capita for Bangladesh ($434) is less than half that for Pakistan ($974), and its foreign exchange reserves ($32 billion) are four times Pakistan’s ($8bn).

Much of this growth owes to exports which zoomed from zero in 1971 to $35.8bn in 2018 (Pakistan’s is $24.8bn). Bangladesh produces no cotton but, to the chagrin of Pakistan’s pampered textile industry, it has eaten savagely into its market share. The IMF calculates Bangladesh’s economy growing from $180bn presently to $322bn by 2021. This means that the average Bangladeshi today is almost as wealthy as the average Pakistani and, if the rupee depreciates further, will be technically wealthier by 2020.

Other indicators are equally stunning. East Pakistan’s population in the 1951 census was 42 million, while West Pakistan’s was 33.7m. But today Bangladesh has far fewer people than Pakistan — 165m versus 200m. A sustained population planning campaign helped reduce fertility in Bangladesh. No such campaign — or even its beginnings — is visible today in Pakistan.

Eschewing militarism in favour of human development, Bangladesh set its initial priorities correctly.

The health sector is no less impressive — far fewer babies die at birth in Bangladesh than in Pakistan. Immunisation is common and no one gets shot dead for administering polio drops. Life expectancy (72.5 years) is higher than Pakistan’s (66.5 years). According to the ILO, females are well ahead in employment (33.2pc) as compared to Pakistan (25.1pc).

How did West Pakistan’s poor cousin manage to upstage its richer relative by so much so fast? It’s all the more puzzling because Bangladesh has no geostrategic assets saleable to America, China, or Saudi Arabia. It also has no nuclear weapons, no army of significance, no wise men in uniform running the country from the shadows, and no large pool of competent professionals. At birth, East Pakistan had, in fact, no trained bureaucracy; it received just one member of the former Indian Civil Service.

None should be more surprised at these new developments than those West Pakistanis — like me — who went to school during the 1950s and 1960s and grew up surrounded by unconcealed racism. Short and dark Bengalis were reputedly good only for growing jute and rice and catching fish. They were Muslims and Pakistanis, of course, but as children we were made to imagine that all good Muslims and real Pakistanis are tall, fair, and speak chaste Urdu. We’d laugh madly at the strange-sounding Bengali news broadcasts from Radio Pakistan. In our foolish macho world, they sounded terribly feminine.

The mega surrender of 1971 made West Pakistanis eat humble pie. But, even as the two-nation theory went out of the window, the overwhelming majority was loath to change its thinking. The west wing renamed itself Pakistan, many assuming this was temporary. They said Bangladesh could never survive economically and would humbly ask to be taken back.

Others optimistically imagined that the disaster had taught Pakistan a profound lesson making change inevitable. Responding enthusiastically to the popular roti, kapra, makaan slogan, they believed Pakistan would shift from pampering its hyper-privileged ones towards providing welfare for all. Equally, it was hoped that the rights of Pakistan’s culturally diverse regions would be respected. None of this happened. Instead, we simply got more of what had been earlier.

Thirsting for vengeance, Pakistan’s establishment could think of nothing beyond wounded honour and ways to settle scores with India. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s secret call for the nuclear bomb led to the famed Multan meeting just six weeks after the surrender. That centralisation of authority breeds local resentment remained an unlearned lesson. In 1973, Bhutto dismissed the NAP government in Balochistan and ordered military action, starting a series of local rebellions that has never gone away. In doing so, he re-empowered those who ultimately hanged him.

In a nutshell, Bangladesh and Pakistan are different countries today because they perceive their national interest very differently. Bangladesh sees its future in human development and economic growth. Goal posts are set at increasing exports, reducing unemployment, improving health, reducing dependence upon loans and aid, and further extending micro credit. Water and boundary disputes with India are serious and Bangladesh suffers bullying by its bigger neighbour on matters of illegal immigration, drugs, etc. But its basic priorities have not wavered.

For Pakistan, human development comes a distant second. The bulk of national energies remain focused upon check-mating India. Relations with Afghanistan and Iran are therefore troubled; Pakistan accuses both of being excessively close to India. But the most expensive consequence of the security state mindset was the nurturing of extra state actors in the 1990s. Ultimately they had to be crushed after the APS massacre of Dec 16, 2014. This, coincidentally, was the day Dhaka had fallen 43 years earlier.

Bangladesh is conflicted by internal rifts. Still, being more multicultural and liberal, its civil society and activist intelligentsia have stopped armed groups from grabbing the reins of power. Although elected or quasi-elected Bangladeshi leaders are often horribly corrupt and incompetent, they don’t simply endorse decisions — they actually make them. Ultimately responsible to their electorate, they are forced to invest in people instead of weapons or a massive military establishment.

For Pakistan, these are lessons to be pondered over. CPEC or no CPEC, it’s impossible to match India tank for tank or missile by missile. Surely it is time to get realistic. Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ from the rooftops while obsequiously taking dictation from the Americans, Chinese, and Saudis has taken us nowhere. Announcing that we have become targets of a fifth-generation hi-tech secret subversion inflames national paranoia but is otherwise pointless. Instead, to move forward, Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy.

Nice article. As author mentioned Bangladesh is not burdened by excessive defence spending or obsession with for being strategically located or geo politics. These have impacted focus on human development. There is no significant trade with any nations.

Human development is the best defence against any external force.

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KRISHNAMURTHY

Feb 09, 2019 07:43am

A well thoughout and sincere feedback on today's reality of Pakistan. Surely Pakistan has much to learn fro Bangladesh , mainly in terms of how to manage their economy and human resource development. It it can correct its course properly towards development instead mindless and unachievable military compeition with India, Pakistan can surely overtake Bangladesh pretty fast.

But one thing I do't like in the article is the phrase bullying by larger neighbor India..there is no bullying. India is providing plenty of economic support to Bangladesh. We just do't want illegal Bangladeshi settlements inside India border. Is that bullying ?

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rao

Feb 09, 2019 07:53am

mature and realistic

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tochibawa

Feb 09, 2019 07:59am

One of the few sane voices in Pak.Analysis of history should be taken seriously.

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mohani

Feb 09, 2019 07:59am

Pakistan spent 10 Billion dollars on its military, while Bangladesh spent only 2 billion in 2018. For 2019 its is going up by nineteen pct.This does not include pensions to the military personal.

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Rahul Singh

Feb 09, 2019 08:02am

One subtle point missed by everyone is the hidden implicit Indian support to Bangladesh. It is no secret that India can sabotage the input for the textile economy and at the same time resurrect its own textile exports. But that is not being done to keep Bangladesh stable and developing. This has also helped India cripple Pakistan's forex reserves.

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Chacha Jee

Feb 09, 2019 08:06am

Bengladesh has very wisely decided to accept its geo political location and made peace with India. In fact, Modi did land exchange with Bengladesh and Bengladesh got more land in the deal. Bengladesh pounce upon on anti Indian groups and as a result large textile investments and machinery flowed from India to Bengladesh.

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akhan

Feb 09, 2019 08:08am

Simply outstanding article Sir

A real wake up call for us all

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Ali

Feb 09, 2019 08:17am

Bangladesh benefitted greatly from very low tariffs accorded to its exports due to widespread poverty there.

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Khaled

Feb 09, 2019 08:19am

Excellent analysis, lesson to be learned.

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Ramrahim

Feb 09, 2019 08:19am

I have never seen such a candid article before in any news paper. Very well articulated guide for any country, not only Pakistan.

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Sacred voice

Feb 09, 2019 08:29am

One of the best article of dawn.It summarise all Pakistani problems.The greed to have parity with India has destroyed Pakistan.Pakistan should focus on education,health and infrastructure rather than Kashmir, Palestine or Afghanistan.

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Checkuroo R Venkat

Feb 09, 2019 08:30am

Sir ..small clarification. India has resolved border issue with Bangladesh by exchanging territory/ villages with the population there two years ago.

Water sharing is also approved/ agreed by our Central Government ....but the CM of our Bengal State has objected to the same. Hopefully will be resolved soon.

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Bipin

Feb 09, 2019 08:32am

The million dollar question??
Does anybody from establishment listening you.

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Akber Ali

Feb 09, 2019 08:38am

Best of the best write-ups. Thank you Prof for opening our eyes and minds!

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Wellwisher

Feb 09, 2019 08:38am

What a beautifully written article. I had the privilege of visiting Bangladesh multiple times during 2002-2004 and was amazed at the tremendous hardworking mindset of the people despite all odds. People do have grievances against neighboring countries, but they always put the economic interests first

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Simarjit Singh Mann

Feb 09, 2019 08:39am

The writer has raised very pertinent questions. He has mentioned that there is border and water disputes between India and Bangladesh , that is wrong. Two countries have resolved them amicably and they have exchanged some hamlets also to better manage the border.

The problem with Pakistani psych has been explained by the writer . People of Pakistan were fed with the ego that they are not locals but are Arabs and hence they are 'martial' quaom.

This created a barrier between Bengli and Punjabi Muslim.
Benglis think that they are scholars . Hindu or Muslim Bengalis take pride in their dress and language .They did not disown their roots. West Punjabis tried to be find their identity thru pan islaic ethos .
'

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Prateik

Feb 09, 2019 08:41am

Hope this brilliant write-up serves as an eye opener for Pakistan.

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agakhan

Feb 09, 2019 08:42am

"----to move forward, Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy. " Says it all- Congratulation to you Sir - God Bless you - Hope some is listening these words.

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ROHIT PANDEY

Feb 09, 2019 08:44am

Instead, to move forward, Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy.

Nice ending to a very thoughtful article.:)

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Pak Patriot

Feb 09, 2019 08:45am

The writer is write about being fixated on India.
The intent to go Nuclear was to check mate India's 5 to 1 numerical superiority in material / bodies.
The route now to take is what our Oxford Educated P M Khan is actioning " Human Development ".
The other Oxford Educated Politician, the opposition Leader Billywal advocatees " Wadera Politics " ???
LOOT, LOOT AND MORE LOOT

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Peru

Feb 09, 2019 08:46am

Pervez Hoodbhoy saheb rightly deserves Highest international award .

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Mumtaz Malik

Feb 09, 2019 08:46am

As usual a great and informative piece by our talented professor.
No one accepts that our defense spending is out of control.
Another factor is that Bangladesh is dealing with their Mullahs with an iron hand.
They are also way more secular than Pakistan.

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Krishan Chand

Feb 09, 2019 08:48am

Very right!

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belinda

Feb 09, 2019 08:48am

Even China has reduced its defense budget. How can others sustain status quo. Defense is for living nations.Time for radical changes.

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Human Rights

Feb 09, 2019 08:50am

Good article we needs to make human development our top priority instead of spending Billion on defense.

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rafeeq

Feb 09, 2019 08:51am

amazing... hope he is not tried for treason for speaking up the truth..

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ad

Feb 09, 2019 08:53am

The author is the true visionary of Pakistan. States obvious simple facts and conclusions which have been strangely overlooked by an entire country.

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John Legend

Feb 09, 2019 08:57am

Bangladesh is friendly country to their neighbors. No country ever said that bangadesh interfere in their country affairs. So bangadesh is ahead of Pakistan whose dispute among all the neighbor countries.

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Masterstroke

Feb 09, 2019 08:58am

Bangladesh benefited by befriending India even though big neighbor constantly bullied them.
Where as Pakistan took the opposite route and totally deferent results.
Today Bangladesh getting easier access to Indian huge consumer market valued $650 billion dollars in 2017( that's a huge...almost double the gdp of entire Pakistan!)
Indian companies joined hand with Bangladeshi companies via JV which made all the deference especially in textile and garments sector.

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Dr. Malaria

Feb 09, 2019 09:00am

Extremely thought provocative and a stern reality check. People like you are the only silver lining for Pakistan.

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Sooraj

Feb 09, 2019 09:01am

Bangladesh, settled all border issues with India, does not have to worry in defense spending. All it has worry about economic issues and that its making headway.

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Veer Singh

Feb 09, 2019 09:05am

Brilliant, intellectually honest and to the point as always. I hope, the powers to be, in Pakistan listen to you.

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Ashmita

Feb 09, 2019 09:05am

Bangladesh exports more garments than India and Pakistan combined, thanks to the country's cheap labor. I am happy for Bangladesh, who are trying to improve their lives.

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thomas

Feb 09, 2019 09:05am

with hard work and dedication the proud people of Pakistan will match or even overtake india and bangaladesh.

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Farookh

Feb 09, 2019 09:06am

Annual GDP growth rate of seven percent, it may pull further ahead of its neighbor, India.

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Mrityunjay Tripathi

Feb 09, 2019 09:07am

Truly a brilliant peace of writing, Sir...

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SS

Feb 09, 2019 09:08am

Excellent Analysis

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GOOD POINT

Feb 09, 2019 09:08am

Fantastic from Prof as always

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Musafir

Feb 09, 2019 09:09am

The World Bank reports that poverty has declined in Bangladesh from 31.5 per cent to 23.2 per cent, lifting some 15 million people from the state of being extremely poor, has overtaken Pakistan in terms of GDP per capita.

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Marvin

Feb 09, 2019 09:10am

Preaching to the choir. Nothing is going to change.

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Premji

Feb 09, 2019 09:11am

What more to say about this article; such a brilliant one and eye opener to everyone who want to remain asleep. Time for Pakistani leadership to read this if they want to really make Pakistan a Naya Pakistan. Being an Indian, I can tell you, India has no interest in attacking Pakistan, no one here talks about it (some small group making statement does not mean anything); so wasting time to match up with India is totally waste of time and energy for Pakistan.

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Abcd

Feb 09, 2019 09:12am

Nice article
But strange comment like farcical democracy to describe Bangladesh.. wonder what he will use for Pakistan definitely not exemplary democracy

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Sanaullah sahil

Feb 09, 2019 09:14am

True sir economic centered economy is the only hope

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Muhammad Ahsan

Feb 09, 2019 09:15am

Wonderful article for a think tank in Pakistan

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Sunil

Feb 09, 2019 09:15am

Nice analysis. Its a common sense, lacking in decision makers.

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Irshad

Feb 09, 2019 09:16am

PM Sheikh Haseena, of Bangladesh veered the nation, towards more market-friendly policies, privatizing some industries and took steps to create a more entrepreneur-friendly environment.

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Masterstroke

Feb 09, 2019 09:16am

Corruption is not at all an issue or excuse for falling back. Because either in India or in Bangladesh corruption is even more than Pakistan.
Truth is our quest for parity with India and unrealistic goal in achieving it made stand us where we are today.
India is such a mighty country that we can never imagine to win not because of their security or economy but their resilience to get up again and again in their 5000 years of civilized history.

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Faraz

Feb 09, 2019 09:18am

This is a good article. Pakistan would have been a much better place than India or bangal if Pakistan stayed at 30- 40 million population. Pakistan should have set priorities in HDI and GDP growth.

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Masud Khan

Feb 09, 2019 09:20am

Little correction here:

Bangladesh's Nominal GDP today is $285.817 billion and Nominal Per Capita Income is $1751.00
Pakistan's Nominal GDP today is 304.4 billion and Nominal Per Capita Income is $1629.00

Wait another decade and Pakistan will be compared with Afghanistan, and not even Bangladesh.

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M. M . Amin ( Old ravian)

Feb 09, 2019 09:22am

Wide spanning but unconvincing .B.D has no need for security apparatuses as it is within the belly of our eternal enemy . So the national survival has to has top priority. Yes we need a very visionary political leadership and that has been our singal big misfortune. Hence we are where we are .

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Aamir raz

Feb 09, 2019 09:25am

How hard to disagree with the writer?

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Pashto

Feb 09, 2019 09:28am

Superb stuff

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javed helali dhakawala

Feb 09, 2019 09:29am

In spite of some praises for Bangladesh the condescending attitude of the writer is subtly apparent in the write up.
Pakistan is much richer than BD in land, natural resources, industrial base, population, tourism and strategic location etc. If only the people were given a chance to rule themselves without US Chinese and KSA and the FAUJI interference, PK can grow in leaps and bounds.
The nukes that PK has is enough deterrence against India. No new toys are needed. The patriotic, experienced, Indian politicians know that and will never be adventurous.
Even though the religion of the writer is not quite acceptable by many Pakistanis, his ideas and advice should be heeded to by the present inexperienced leadership of PK.
Jhelali2000@yahoo.com

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Vishwas

Feb 09, 2019 09:30am

Well written

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RAGHUNATH

Feb 09, 2019 09:30am

A sound Thoughtful, meticulously jotted facts, think for you (pak) from your own perspective rather miscalculating from other country (India) which is real big Elephant. From India.

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Karachi Wala

Feb 09, 2019 09:31am

Will the decision makers in Pakistan do away with the habit of eating humble pie?

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Baazigar

Feb 09, 2019 09:34am

Anybody hearing ?

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Ajay_Adelaide

Feb 09, 2019 09:34am

Amazing honesty and clarity, not sure how many can accept it in Pakistan.

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Vijay

Feb 09, 2019 09:34am

I will like to add An average Bangladeshi is much more open to learn and they also have many intellectuals. I have many friends from Bangladesh and some times I am surprised how far and multifaceted they can think.

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Kris

Feb 09, 2019 09:35am

Dr.Hoodbhoy is a welcome breath of fresh air! This article should be compulsory reading in all universities, and republished every year (with due updates to all the data). At the current rate, Bangladesh may soon become the welfare state that IK is dreaming for Pakistan.

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Ranajyoti

Feb 09, 2019 09:37am

Bitter narrative, you should not born there, your world is wide and open.

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citizen

Feb 09, 2019 09:37am

A classic gem from the author...Kudos to him. I wish the intellectuals like the author must be in a responsible position to steer the nation to the future. We desperately need many many more saner voices like him..

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B.Patel. USA

Feb 09, 2019 09:38am

Do not forget Cricket. Bangladesh is ready to leave India and Pakistan. Also Bangladesh and India have settled all the boundary differences few years ago.

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Just Saying

Feb 09, 2019 09:38am

A tour de force column by Dr Hoodbhoy, should be required reading for Pakistani establishment.

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Kris

Feb 09, 2019 09:39am

Bangladesh is surrounded from three sides by India. However you don't hear the constant paranoia and war cry that you always hear on the Indo-Pak border. Yes, there are boundary disputes and migration issues. But there is a certain political resolve in both countries solve all these issues peacefully.

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Peace

Feb 09, 2019 09:42am

Awesome Article!

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Bhaskar

Feb 09, 2019 09:47am

Excellent article

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Mr. and Mrs. Arshad Arshad

Feb 09, 2019 09:51am

Mr. Hoodbhoy always tells the way it is, without blinking an eye. True patriot and an honest man.

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Masud Khan

Feb 09, 2019 09:55am

I think the question should be, HOW, not WHY?

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IndoPak

Feb 09, 2019 09:56am

Irfan Sb, you have been a voice of reason for decades. Unfortunately the establishment won't listen.

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TK

Feb 09, 2019 09:56am

A very apt reality.

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Dr.Diariah

Feb 09, 2019 09:56am

So very true,but the white elephant who drives Pakistan sometimes from front seat and sometimes from back seat eats 2.5% of G.D.P and no one dares say anything. Perception has been created to show that if this white elephant is not feed then the existence of Pakistan is in danger.Until inflated ego's and rhetoric curtailed things will not change.

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Uzay Yazdani

Feb 09, 2019 10:00am

At birth, East Pakistan had, in fact, no trained bureaucracy ---- EUREKA, Sir. You have found the answer!!! Pakistan had a bureaucracy from the start who with the elite schemed to haul in all the cash and make laws to ring their cash registers. AS well as ways to pay for their failing companies out of tax money.

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Anil

Feb 09, 2019 10:01am

Respect! Respect! Respect!Nothing but RESPECT!

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Victoria Gardezi

Feb 09, 2019 10:02am

"For Pakistan, human development comes a distant second." Which means in Bangladesh people respect each other more than in Pakistan.

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Praveen

Feb 09, 2019 10:04am

Problem with pakistan is too much stress on kashmir issue while there are many other pressing issues to be adressed. I am an indian. In india, our obsession with kashmir is limited. We don't want to lose land that is rightfully ours and we do whatever possible in right framework to protect our part of kashmir. As far bdesh is concerned, it is a lesson to both india and pak how we have to spend less money on military that will yoeld no ultimate result and spend more on human resource development and improvement of people's welfare.

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Ravin

Feb 09, 2019 10:04am

Some sane opinion. Usually i read Kashmir rhetoric twice or thrice a week on this page. Many states have dispute. South Asia needs to learn how they manage it. For e.g. UK and Ireland. Or EU - where many states are together despite diversity.

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D patel

Feb 09, 2019 10:05am

Very enlightening presentation and realistic but bold critique that rightfully directs the nation to do some soul searching by taking real time example of Bangladesh. The last line about war Vs peace economy is the jewel. This is true wake up call.

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Sana

Feb 09, 2019 10:06am

WELL written article
If Bangladesh beats Pakistan in all areas, Pakistan needs to think about where they are going wrong
But sadly thinking is not an area Pakistan does well in

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Victoria Gardezi

Feb 09, 2019 10:06am

" Short and dark Bengalis were reputedly good only for growing jute and rice and catching fish. They were Muslims and Pakistanis, of course, but as children we were made to imagine that all good Muslims and real Pakistanis are tall, fair, and speak chaste Urdu. " ...... I AM SAVING THIS PIECE.

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Feroz

Feb 09, 2019 10:06am

If the citizens of any country cannot sort out their priorities and goals in a very competitive world, that country will see slippage on all fronts. In any democracy it is the people who lead the country in the direction they want to go, they have nobody but themselves to blame here. A country can always take pride with a strong military but you simply cannot feed the people or satisfy their needs with weapons.

If citizens are too scared or lack the intellect to ask how a developing country running fiscal and current account deficits can spend 40% of its revenue on feeding an Elephant, who can they blame ? No wonder different forms of escapism and conspiracy theories sell well because clear headed rational thinking is too troublesome.

Bangladesh would have gone the way of Pakistan but in the political sphere it had a very strong secular party, the Awami League. Being able to keep the Mullah and Military in check, it overcame the forces that would sink it economically.

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AAhmed

Feb 09, 2019 10:10am

Dear Sir, also enlighten us about, how to deal with Indian hegemony. And please be realistic, India is not let you alone, neither it will stop until it dismental Pakistan into five Bhutans or Nepal's. It did not do this to Bangladesh, because it considered partly it's own construction as well as a challenge to Pakistan. In case of Pakistan it is completely a different world. Even after 70 years it's politicians still fighting about whose mistake is Pakistan. The new generation of Indians is fed hatred of Pakistan so much that at every forum they spew venom, just read comments of readers on any news article about Pakistan. Do you see such perspective among Pakistanis. We dont even care whats going on across the border, if a good news come from there people like to appreciate. We love to criticise our military for having paranoia, but have you read any news paper of India that does not give a negative twist to every Pakistan related news.

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sana

Feb 09, 2019 10:10am

The problem in Pakistan is that corrupt dynasties have ruled over Pakistan.
Unless they are eliminated by the state for their treachery (after due process), Pakistan will not be able to move on.

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Anurag Gautam

Feb 09, 2019 10:12am

Sir I have been seeing you since 2008-09 shouting loud and clear to transform Pakistan from worriers to business man by adopting tools required such as population control etc but establishment will not hear it Sir, it's their bread and butter noway they are going to change.

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Ali Sabir

Feb 09, 2019 10:12am

The west wing renamed itself Pakistan, many assuming this was temporary. They said Bangladesh could never survive economically and would humbly ask to be taken back. --- So Pakistan has suffered from the sin of arrogance.

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RP

Feb 09, 2019 10:12am

Nice article sir..

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Amanat Ali

Feb 09, 2019 10:13am

Brilliant as always ! Scientific Education is the only hope-

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gt

Feb 09, 2019 10:13am

Well written article by professor.

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Ujla sitara

Feb 09, 2019 10:13am

Sir, I wish we have more people like you who can talk sense. Pakistan must make peace with India, leave Kashmir issue aside for next 20 years, bring true democracy and focus on human development.it should learn from India and China relationship, they are not friends but bilateral business is growing exponentially.
It has to come out from aid based economy as it's hurting it in long term.

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M Mirza

Feb 09, 2019 10:17am

Very well said but do we have a change after the new government of 'Change' took over. sadly not. IK and his cohorts seem to have no vision and no goals.

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Ankur

Feb 09, 2019 10:24am

Amazing timing of this article. I am reading right now the book 'Confronting the bomb', where a chapter written by Dr. Pervez hoodbhoy talks about all the' what ifs' regarding west pakistan, nuclear bomb and Bangladesh. He clearly states that Bangladesh, in 2010, was on a far better trajectory than Pakistan in 2010. And now look, after almost a decade, things haven't changed.

Much Kudos to the professor for his insightful and scholarly analysis of such delicate political issue. I seriously hope that scholars like him are given more voice across both sides of the border.

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Pharo

Feb 09, 2019 10:26am

And this is what the US will become if Trump doesn’t watch out

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Star

Feb 09, 2019 10:29am

Anyone in Pakistan listening to this voice of sanity???

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Himmat

Feb 09, 2019 10:29am

Good realistic analysis, with few takers in Pakistan.

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ROY

Feb 09, 2019 10:31am

Thanks for this note... straight and simple.

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Maboob Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 10:33am

For Pakistan, these are lessons to be pondered over but unfortunately not to be learned.

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Aamir

Feb 09, 2019 10:36am

Bangladesh is doing well in the social, health and economic sectors. We should learn from them. Best wishes to them.

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Maboob Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 10:36am

The bulk of national energies remain focused upon check-mating India. Relations with Afghanistan and Iran are therefore troubled; Pakistan accuses both of being excessively close to India. AND the United States has switched sides favoring India. What we have here is a crisis in diplomacy. We will not get our own way by threatening others.

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Bilal Khan

Feb 09, 2019 10:37am

All thanks to Nawaz and Zardari. They have been doing tremendous work.

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Rehmatullah

Feb 09, 2019 10:37am

Amazingly direct, hard hitting in writing. Never expected to see an article like this in a Pakistani newspaper.

Stay safe, Professor!

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Cruiser

Feb 09, 2019 10:39am

Wow

Pity no one likes listens to him..

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 10:42am

Pakistan had much better economy than Bangladesh, it all got destroyed by zardari and nawaz in the last 10 years

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 10:44am

@Bilal Khan, correct nawaz and zardari destroyed Pakistani economy in the last 10 years and it was much better than Bangladesh prior to that

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Ahmad

Feb 09, 2019 10:45am

I want All the "We are Superpower" squad to read this article and feel a little shame.

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Dr.Diariah

Feb 09, 2019 10:48am

@Himmat, Even paper like Dawn don't dare to publish the truth

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Patriot

Feb 09, 2019 10:54am

Pakistan has not developed because many rich Pakistanis have invested their money outside the country. Zardari's and Shariff's made it easier to take out money outside the country. Which Bangladeshi politician has villas in Dubai and London? It is the Pakistani politician, for self-interest, have destroyed the nation.

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AsadWarraich

Feb 09, 2019 10:56am

Excellent analysis of how Bangladesh crossed Pakistan in terms of economic progress in a period of just nearly 47 years. They invested in human development and improved their economy by boosting the exports. We also invested but in making our military more strong - which is also necessary - but it must not be more important than human development because human rights are paramount than anything else.

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Zak

Feb 09, 2019 11:03am

The author should consider the following: If population control was attempted in Pakistan and it was successful, then the per capita debt would have been way too high. Isn't increasing population a safe way to reduce per capita debt?

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Udai

Feb 09, 2019 11:03am

Very well written and analysed article. hope Pakistan authorities will learn some lessons from it. How come a poorer country like Bangladesh has been able to reduce population which was more at the time of separation and Pakistan could do nothing to control its population. Pak Govt has to come out from the influence of extremists if it wants to prosper. Banking on CPEC for resolution of all problems will be another disaster for Pak.

For Pakistan, human development comes a distant second. The bulk of national energies remain focused upon check-mating India. Relations with Afghanistan and Iran are therefore troubled; Pakistan accuses both of being excessively close to India.
That sums it all.

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Shiva

Feb 09, 2019 11:08am

@Ahmad, well said Ahmad even I feel bad when I listen Indian defence budget

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Prateik

Feb 09, 2019 11:08am

@Bilal Khan, All leaders since 1971 are responsible.

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Rahul

Feb 09, 2019 11:08am

India has a lot to be concerned if Pakistani people and their leaders start listening to voices of reason like this than listening to rhetoric from the military.

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anonymous

Feb 09, 2019 11:12am

Since Pakistan's politicians are hardly allowed to take independent decisions, so they are interested in only making money.

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Premsan

Feb 09, 2019 11:13am

Sir, I want to correct you on the boundary dispute of Bangladesh with India,which was resolved amicably.In give and take settlement,India gave more than what it is received. Only Teesla river settlement pending and I am sure,as time passes, this will gets resolved paving way for more economic integration of this region.

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Srikanth

Feb 09, 2019 11:13am

This one sentence changing from war economy to a peaceful economy what is required for Pakistan, but who cares.

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Sha b

Feb 09, 2019 11:13am

Very simple logic.when lion share of budget going to defence how a country will develop economically?
Correct and adjust your fundamentals and be friendly with your neighbours ...and see the results.

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T. Ramakrishnan

Feb 09, 2019 11:14am

An extraordinarily bold, frank and wise advice. Pakistan is a fairly large country with abundant natural resources. I have lived the last 50 years in the West. I found that, given the opportunity, Pakistanis are as good as anyone else. Complete eradication of terrorists is necessary for foreign investment (after all, foreigners invest primarily to make money for themselves; our jobs and prosperity is secondary) and a highly technical workforce would draw bigger, better investments.
Best of luck!

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Srinivasan Kailasam

Feb 09, 2019 11:14am

In many areas Bangladesh has bettered India.
The Writer has missed mentioning opening up of waterways, railways and roadways between India and Bangladesh which is helping both.

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jahan

Feb 09, 2019 11:14am

Pakistan cannot make any progress until it changes it's Monetary system . Pakistan needs to back it's currency with Gold and Silver and finally say Good Bye to Imperialistic Monetary System imposed on the World by The IMF . FIAT currencies always ruin the living standards of the Masses . The only way a nation's lot can be improved is through Honest Money .

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sach baat

Feb 09, 2019 11:15am

@Saleem, Perhaps you are partly right. Look at the industrial indices since 1960s. It looked good for sometime. Defence allocation always got priority over human development and education. The Zia era hit the coffin on its head in which Pakistan degraded into a nation of hyper religionism, played to some irrational concept of deep state and faith based dogmas.
Curriculum destruction, un checked population growth, lack of focus on agriculture- the backbone of the economy all happened in these decades.I was shocked to see farm yields between some common farm outputs of Pakistani and other nations. Pakistan has one sixth and one tenth yields.
At the fundamental level the Pakistani nation focused outwards on geo strategic goals of other nations. Bangladesh focused on strengthening the nation internally. Worker productivity in BD increased that attracted investments. It managed to get India into territory swap by pure negotiations while Pak continues to Warn India, so far yielded nothing.

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Bmango

Feb 09, 2019 11:15am

No takers of this wise man's words.

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Rock Solid

Feb 09, 2019 11:15am

Brilliant piece of writing, should be an eye opener for all concerned, kind regards

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Srikanth

Feb 09, 2019 11:17am

@Saleem, it is not zardari or Nawaz destroyed Pakistan, the author clearly explains why and how Pakistan economy got destroyed. What I request is to read this article clearly to get the answer. If you are not getting even then it is because of war economy mindset by Pakistan against India.

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Napier Mole

Feb 09, 2019 11:21am

Agreed. It is the obsession with defence (even after getting the ultimate deterrent) and the failure to focus on controlling population that all our socio-economic indicators are deteriorating.

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Asit Ojha

Feb 09, 2019 11:21am

Great Article. Trust some one at power will ponder on author's thought.
Hope with IK in power, Pakistan in particular and the subcontinent in general will progress rapidly.
Wish peace and prosperity for all.
An Indian.

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Sha b

Feb 09, 2019 11:23am

The last paragraph is the whole story.....
On side note ..be safe sir.

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SK

Feb 09, 2019 11:25am

Fantastic article. You forgot the K word and the resources towards

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Rational

Feb 09, 2019 11:26am

We don't have good analyst like you in India. Excellent and readable article.

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Human first

Feb 09, 2019 11:27am

Sir you have left nothing to comment..respect.

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Heyme

Feb 09, 2019 11:28am

The analysis is faulty at best. Basing one's assessment purely on some statistics that do not measure the real strength of economy considering future outlook is not only a purely layman assessment but at best an attempt by a physicist to venture into uncharrtered territory. I am not sure if Dawn will publish my comment. But if it does, I am willing to debunk the myth point by point.

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Abdul Khalique

Feb 09, 2019 11:29am

A very comprehensive analysis depicting sad reality for Pakistan and where the both nations stand right now.

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Vasudevan

Feb 09, 2019 11:29am

Excellent. Economic development gets the respect. Pakistan has to get rid of its present mindset. But who will listen?

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Javed Jani Kuwait

Feb 09, 2019 11:31am

Bangladesh has eliminated extremists from its land, the country is progressing very fast. Elected government is in full control of the country.

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prabhjyot madan

Feb 09, 2019 11:35am

"Who will bell the cat". Nobody cares there. Its a one way traffic.

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Guest69

Feb 09, 2019 11:39am

You are aligning yourself to be Next one in the line of " trouble makers like your fellow blogger Cyril Almaida " , though you have rightly tried to pin point the malice in Pakistani society , the pinched ones have guns not pens to answer back so stay free and live if you can as long as you can .

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auginpk

Feb 09, 2019 11:42am

As always an eye opening article and worth following by power that be.

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Naqeeb Hussain

Feb 09, 2019 11:43am

As always , the writer hit the nail on head. I hope our security establishment pay head to his expert opinion.

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phullu mian

Feb 09, 2019 11:44am

it is acid. truth is acidic.

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Ghayyas

Feb 09, 2019 11:45am

A masterpiece. Based on facts and only facts.

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Naveed

Feb 09, 2019 11:45am

I have lived in Saudi Arabia for a number of years, and have witnessed what the author is saying from the perspective of 'quality of manpower employable as white collar workers'. Pakistan's share of the white collar expat workforce has steadily declined, while that of India and Bangladesh has increased. The reason is obvious: the product that comes out of Indian and Bangladeshi government schools is a few notches - and in some cases many notches - better educated and appears to be better suited for handling both front desk and back office tasks. Their English skills, math skills, and people skills attest to both: better education at school, and dare I say, better upbringing by parents and society. The secret of a nation's ascendancy or descendancy is in its national priorities. And for sure, ours have been consistently messed up.

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sam Ali

Feb 09, 2019 11:47am

May god give us the wisdom to see the reality. Very well written article.

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Rajeev Gupta

Feb 09, 2019 11:49am

Sir i am an indian and a fan of yours. I am worried about your safety . Pl take care and stay safe

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Kaka

Feb 09, 2019 11:51am

When you spend roughly 40% of your revenues on the armed forces and the next 40% on debt repayment you are left with a paltry 20% of sparsely collected taxes (which most people do not pay,) to run the government, education, health, pay for any other projects for the betterment of your people, development, and infrastructure (creation and maintenance) How can you expect anything at all worth talking about happen when there are no funds available to do anything ? The article says "They (West Pakistani leaders) said Bangladesh could never survive economically and would humbly ask to be taken back." Looks like the opposite is true now, may be it is time for Pakistan to ask Bangladesh to take them back."

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Shah

Feb 09, 2019 11:53am

The secular PPP and PML-N governments are to blame for Pakistan falling far behind in the race of the 21st century because of mass corruption and the deterioration of our institutions.

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A S Murthy

Feb 09, 2019 11:56am

Sir very fine observations. I always find your
analysis accurate.

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Zafar Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 11:56am

Only the difference is the honesty , dedication and professionalism to serve the country and which is totally contrary to our rulers & governments.

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Gajodhar

Feb 09, 2019 11:57am

@Rational, nice joke.

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Shehryar Ashraf

Feb 09, 2019 11:57am

bangladesh overtook pakistan economically because bangladesh does not have an afghanistan on its borders to worry about.

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Amin

Feb 09, 2019 11:59am

We are rebuilding ourselves, our democracy is maturing.

Bangladesh is being run through one party with full authority and we know from history that it only brings temporary economic gains

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Samit

Feb 09, 2019 12:03pm

Wow what words of wisdom Dr Sahaib

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murali g

Feb 09, 2019 12:09pm

@Rational, agree with you

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Oooh la la la

Feb 09, 2019 12:10pm

Nothing new written. Everyone knows this but some refuse to open thier eyes and smell the coffee.The last para summarises the reality. Failing to see the rot in your own plate and keep poking others. Will this close the lid on the fair skinned breed of people but lacking in all important parameters of economic development. Google how to catch a monkey and find out where you are stuck.

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Ahmed Mansoor

Feb 09, 2019 12:10pm

@Bilal Khan, With due respect, our Men in Uniform have ruled the country far longer tham them!

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TM

Feb 09, 2019 12:11pm

@Shah, you did not learn even from the article .

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Tariq Rashid

Feb 09, 2019 12:13pm

Pakistan will rise again from this quagmire soon inshallah..

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jilanee

Feb 09, 2019 12:14pm

A gem of an article

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Infodict

Feb 09, 2019 12:14pm

You can pawn your present for the future to be fruitful. Not the other way around. As Indians we understand there's bad blood between our countries. If you focus on development, our futureselves will compete. If you focus on make even through muscle power, well then we'll have what we have right now. Change course and be the inspirational success story you were in early 70's , Pakistan. Good luck.

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Judge

Feb 09, 2019 12:15pm

Salute to you professor for showing mirror. But most look in mirror by closing their eyes so can’t see it.

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Judge

Feb 09, 2019 12:19pm

India-Bangladesh resolved boundary dispute and both countries exchanged land. Bangladesh’s export is growing to India and same for Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan.

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Jamal Khan

Feb 09, 2019 12:21pm

@Bilal Khan, Bro it does not help a lot to blame it on just 10 years. The 47 years of Bangladeshi history is rife with far reaching positive policies like population control and women empowerment we Pakistanis can only dream of. AZ and NS do have their share of faults as IK too does. But that is not the point Dr Hoodbhoy is making here. He has alluded to the faults line in our unfortunate history of existence since 1947.

Our misery is best described by the following words Shakespear put in Cassius's mouth in his play Julius Caesar: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

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Khalil

Feb 09, 2019 12:22pm

Excellent analysis of national disaster. Each one of us is responsible for this and there is no use pointing fingers and blaming one sector or the other. As a nation we have lost sight of our goal and purpose in life. It does not look like that we have learnt any lessons even now. We need to start fresh with new leadership and mindset. Unfortunately I do not see that happening in the current scenario

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Jawaid

Feb 09, 2019 12:24pm

We ourselves are the worst enemy. The ever-interfering powerful establishment will hardly allow the country to progress economically.

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South_Asian

Feb 09, 2019 12:24pm

The economic wheel of Pakistan is not moving as constantly as Bangladesh or India's. Pakistan is stuck on the CPEC, while Bangladesh have over ten projects larger than the size of CPEC in progress, while planning for ten more on the making. Bangladesh knows exactly where it is going to be 50 years from now in terms of economy, military. Did Pakistan even plan what they will do once CPEC is complete.

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Dr. Hilaria

Feb 09, 2019 12:25pm

The Scholar and Professor has very eloquently pointed out that Bangladesh progressed because it is very much unlike Pakistan.

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Bmango

Feb 09, 2019 12:27pm

Pervez sahab is a thorough Gentleman.we need him in India.

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Shabbir Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 12:28pm

Even a fool would like to "transform our war economy into pace economy". However, the million dollar question remain, HOW ?
Would Dr Hoodbhoy or some other luminary enlighten the populace on this?

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Kaka

Feb 09, 2019 12:28pm

I think that a certain misconception the present day Pakistanis have regarding the relationship between East Pakistan till 1971 (now Bangladesh) and present day Pakistan (then West Pakistan,) needs to be laid to rest for once and for all Most Pakistanis to this day think, and contend, "East Pakistan was snatched away from us," or "We lost East Pakistan," like they had ownership of East Pakistan, which they lost. Well my friends, you neither owned East Pakistan, nor was it snatched away from you by a foreign power. You were partners and they chose to separate from you, like two brothers in a joint family who decide they cannot get along anymore and choose to set up separate households; or like two partners in a joint enterprise where one partner chooses to separate and set up his own shop. All said and done, more than anything else, it was this attitude of ownership, and the according of a second class citizenship to the east by the west, that was the main cause of the split in the first place. The Bengalis decided they had had enough and were not going to take it any more.

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Bmango

Feb 09, 2019 12:29pm

@jay, he has written and said a lot on India pakistan but no one is listening on both sides.

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Kaka

Feb 09, 2019 12:32pm

Hypothetically, if present day Pakistan suggested a re-unification to Bangladesh, would Bangladesh agree? I'll let each reader decide for him or her self the answer to that query.

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anwar imdad

Feb 09, 2019 12:33pm

Excellent article. The main blame for all our troubles goes to our establishment and especially military. They are interested in building housing schemes and making money. Nawaz, Zardari, IK and so on all have to excecute their agenda otherwise they cannot survive. What happened to Nawaz is clear. People are deliberately kept illiterate and ignorant, so they don't question the core of the problem.

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Marie Rodrigues

Feb 09, 2019 12:35pm

india bullying?

india has ceded more land to bangladesh then recd to settle border issue a couple of years ago

bang;adesh has developed bec it did not try to compete with india in arms and army saved it a lot of expense which was used for development

imagie if bangladesh had land like pakisatn big and strategic with irrigation system ect

it would be the richest country in south asia next only to japan or korea

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Ghosh

Feb 09, 2019 12:36pm

Great reading, Doctor ! You wrote "They (West Pakistanis) said Bangladesh could never survive economically and would humbly ask to be taken back". In fact, I (a Bengali Indian about a decade younger than you) also thought similarly - that Bangladesh either go back to Pakistan or will become economically dependent on India like Nepal. Things really went that way for some time but, in the last two decades, Hasina took very strong actions against the fundamentalists and the recalcitrant elements in the Defence forces. I think that is what made the real difference.

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Veer Singh

Feb 09, 2019 12:36pm

As always Prof. Hoodbhoy has hit the nail right on the head.

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Citizen

Feb 09, 2019 12:39pm

@Star, unfortunately those at helm here are virtually illiterate

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Babu

Feb 09, 2019 12:41pm

@Bilal Khan, The seeds of discord with India were sown right after independence by sending forces in Kashmir.

Than it was General Niazi, Gen, Zia and Gen Musharraf too even the democratic govts were forced to toe their line.

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Ali S

Feb 09, 2019 12:44pm

Prof Hoodbhoy spitting some hard truths. Someone should forward this to the PTI leadership.

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New Yorker Indian

Feb 09, 2019 12:45pm

Unfortunately, if one reads the comments that are often posted on various Dawn articles, and the fact that Dawn CHOOSES to publish those obnoxious and grotesque anti-India comments (and allowing names such as bhaRAT), just proves that pakistanis are more than happy to keep doing the following:

"Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ from the rooftops while obsequiously taking dictation from the Americans, Chinese, and Saudis"

Truth remains: pakistanis have developed serious anti-India hatred (recently demonstrated by a series of vile anti-India articles on Dawn regarding Kashmir and the failed exercise in London), which has now become a generational problem -- it will only go away in 2-3 generations, and that too, only if sane voices such as Dr. Hoodbhoy are accepted and respected.

PS: I am not holding my breath that Dawn will publish my comment -- unfortunately, Dawn has recently been only posting rude and hostile anti-India comments

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Babu

Feb 09, 2019 12:51pm

Nice Article, Sir. Hope Govt & public listen and act accordingly.

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Abul Alam

Feb 09, 2019 12:53pm

Majority people want to do anything to improve their life style. Behind the success is try to copy anybody who is little bit better than them. If people are become law abiding and honest it will make them REAL SONAR BANGLA. A DREAM OF NATIONS FATHER AND REAL ICON OF BENGALI. HE WAS, HE IS AND HE MUST BE IN THE HEART OF ALL BANGLADESHI PEOPLE. . LET US BUILD OUR NATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM MUST BE HONEST. MUST BE ZERO TOLERANCE . POLITICAL SYSTEM MUST BE LIKE CANADA. WITHIN NEXT 20 YEARS IT WILL BE LIKE CANADA.

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JustSaying

Feb 09, 2019 12:54pm

Where are all the Chest Thumping, Roof Top Shouting ? Why are they silent. ??

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Tariq Rahim

Feb 09, 2019 12:54pm

Well written and for the most part incisive and factually correct. However, the two nation theory was reinforced by the creation of Bangladesh, in that it did not cede to India but became an independent country. With that the two nation theory has been transformed into a three nation theory!

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 12:58pm

@Patriot, we'll said , very true

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Aimal

Feb 09, 2019 01:00pm

Extremely analytical concept based on sane collection of facts. Yes Bangladesh is progressing because of a stringent focus on development and a good trade relationship with its neighbours. Nothing is more profitable in business than doing trade among closely located countries. Of course, one important difference is that Bangladesh has no Kashmir issue and so they can fully focus on growth and development. Even for India, this issue certainly takes away at least one to two percent of GDP growth.

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 01:03pm

Pakistan economy destroyed and textile industry shifted because of the power shortages and it's expense price, pakistan textile was moved to Bangladesh and Pakistan loss became win of Bagdladesh .
Pakistan at one time had surplus and cheap electricity with booming industry .

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Aimal

Feb 09, 2019 01:05pm

@jahan , But you are missing the point. Bangladesh like any other country is also under the same world financial system and yet it is making a faster progress. The article tells you why?

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rama

Feb 09, 2019 01:09pm

Indian education system is quite good and India helped Bangladesh to build their education system. Many of their doctors and engineers do masters in Indian medical and engineering colleges in subsidised rate what govt of India offers to its citizens.

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Human first

Feb 09, 2019 01:09pm

@Shiva,India s concerns can not be matched with Pakistan due to many factors.India is too big and has bigger concerns..

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manjeet

Feb 09, 2019 01:10pm

Stay safe good luck

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JustSaying

Feb 09, 2019 01:11pm

The military does not play a role in Bangladeshi Politics, they have a democratically elected government..

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Muneeb

Feb 09, 2019 01:12pm

one of the few voices of sanity in our country.amazing article!!!

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Harbinger

Feb 09, 2019 01:15pm

Not only summarized our embarrassing history but also showed us the way forward. we must do away with the arms race with India along with settling our disputes with the other regional countries. stop interfering in the affairs of other countries and invest in the development of the Pakistanis.
Let's build a Pakistan which is peaceful and at friendly terms with the entire world.

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Justice

Feb 09, 2019 01:16pm

Well written factual article

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R.Kannan

Feb 09, 2019 01:17pm

The economic progress of Bangladesh actually offers countries like India & Pakistan an insight on why they need to decentralise power and focus more on social development, especially at the lower income groups. Bangladesh's textile story is well known but what is ignored is that it has increased rice productivity by 3 times in the last decade and its pharmaceutical sector is becoming an important player in the global generics market.Today, Bangladesh boasts of an universal access to free basic health care .

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JK

Feb 09, 2019 01:18pm

Though Cyclopean Defence spending, atrocious security situation, intense religious appetite of child birth are the reasons by which Pakistan lagging behind Banladesh in many socio economic conditions but the country is suffer severely from decades long dictatorship and military interference in civil affairs..

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Rashid Khan

Feb 09, 2019 01:18pm

I guess, on an average, the erstwhile East Pakistan peoples were smarter and more savvy than we gave them credit for. We have never acknowledged are political folly of which there were and are many. And still continue, a la FM Qureshi & PM Khan, to bait India and seem to satisfy some hidden collective masochistic pleasure in doing so despite knowing full well that it will not benefit us in any way. About time to give up our fixation and obsession with land items such Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek, etc and settle and make good what we already have. We should learn the art and science of living at peace, mostly with ourselves.

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BLUE KNIGHT

Feb 09, 2019 01:19pm

Who else can tell the facts and show the reality in such a lucid manner. Kudos to you professor.. and it is difficult to fathom that no one is there in the establishment who can grasp these facts..

It is like they are still beating the dead horse.. (of trying to find their LOST glory.. AND ambition of being hagemon of the World in general and of region in particular ) while the world is passing by..

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rama

Feb 09, 2019 01:20pm

@Pharo, USA education system is best and USA houses companies, which produces best products. Don't think about USA . It is great and will remain great for long time. And yeh, I am working with Hewlett Packard.

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random

Feb 09, 2019 01:21pm

What stalled Pakistan?

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Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 01:21pm

The good professor is a physicist not a political scientist but he has so brilliantly explained why we are lagging behind our neighbours. Those responsible for this state of affairs, hopefully, read articles such as this.

@Naveed, I understand quality of manpower in India and BD is good. In India parents have one or two children. Parent's energy and resources are focused on their upbringing. This is different from mentality of common people in Pakistan.

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Lilly

Feb 09, 2019 01:24pm

As always the only experienced and sane voice among Pakistani think tanks.

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Shakir Lakhani

Feb 09, 2019 01:25pm

Bangladesh has improved because it has a secular constitution. As long as Pakistan remains
a fundamentalist, deeply religious and militaristic nation, it has little chance of surviving. We are seeing a repeat of what happened in 1971, the country at high risk of being dismembered again due to the false policies of those who rule over the country.

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Rashid Khan

Feb 09, 2019 01:26pm

@AsadWarraich, I am sorry but making the military stronger is not at all necessary but harmful to our overall well being. A small military, strong police force to maintain law and order and prevent incursions across borders is all we need. Then human development. We do not need to pursue wars with India to wrest control over Kashmir administered by them. In fact we would do well to let India have the parts of Kashmir and Baltistan for them to administer that were part of original Kashmir Kingdom although the Chinese to whom we gifted several thousand square kilometres may not now be willing to part with it. Get the Kashmir bogy out of our political and military policies and thinking. Think Pakistan.

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BLUE KNIGHT

Feb 09, 2019 01:27pm

@Naveed, I agree with you on that.. But Nepolians and Bismarks in the Establishments consider themselves to be the inheritors of the legacy of the Gaznavis, Ghauris, Baburs and their first priority is to reclaim the Legacy and Glory of these war lords of middle ages .. ALL ELSE is secondary even useless if it can't assist them in achieving the above ambition..

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Shah Alam

Feb 09, 2019 01:27pm

Very good article. It is eye opener for Pakistan.

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TB

Feb 09, 2019 01:30pm

Excellent article with sane analysis. Good to see there are bold people in the society saying the truth. Thanks Mr Hoodbhoy.

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pvn

Feb 09, 2019 01:31pm

There were number of such factual articles are published an will be publishing in future in Dawn but nobody has taken note of it because of India centric mindset

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Kesavchandran

Feb 09, 2019 01:31pm

He is one of the Pakistanis I admire.Totally pragmatic down to earth in touch with reality.Wish there were more like him in all parts of the subcontinent which got partitioned in 1947 who can without getting tied up to outside countries like US,China or Russia live in mutual harmony and greater prosperity for its poverty stricken masses.May common sense,men like Hoodbhoy propagate prevail.

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Shoaib

Feb 09, 2019 01:36pm

The reasons are understandable,very basic, simple and as well as fatal, but hard to be taken up in this society.

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MK

Feb 09, 2019 01:37pm

Eyeopener fir current establishment.. Good article by Dawn.

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nasir

Feb 09, 2019 01:39pm

Dear Professor sb. yes I am listening you but could do nothing. people who could do something are not ready to listen you sir. this is tragedy her in Pakistan.

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Sujit

Feb 09, 2019 01:40pm

@Saleem, Pakistan's economy was even better than India.

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chengez

Feb 09, 2019 01:40pm

.........also because their Experts in Physics remained focused in their own subject !!!!

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Tzaman

Feb 09, 2019 01:41pm

Thought provoking article. But nothing will change in Pakistan. I gave just one question from the professor. If the BD politicians are so inept how come they are taking better decisions. Are they acting same like authoritarian Malaysian politicians.

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MHS

Feb 09, 2019 01:42pm

Each and every word is a hundred percent bitter truth about Pakistan...

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Haroon m

Feb 09, 2019 01:44pm

Well said sir.. looking for such sane voices in majority in Pakistan.. however such voices will be crushed, mutilated and sub dued in name of religion, identity, etc. Like we smile on bengalis, Saudi Arabia smile and laugh on us as there permanent servant

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Balachandran D,

Feb 09, 2019 01:45pm

Two days back I read in one of the Pakistani news website that 68 ℅ of the 2019 budget allocation is done for debt servicing and military expenditure. 31℅ of the funds is allocated for Defence alone. So only 32 ℅ is available for people and nation development. In these circumstances how could Pakistan challenge the other economies?

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Sujit

Feb 09, 2019 01:46pm

It would be nice if law makers take professor's advice.

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Billu

Feb 09, 2019 01:48pm

Stay safe, sir. I truly worry for your safety. When the main centres of power in your country tend to be an ignorant, hypocritical and obscurantist bunch, and you surgically prick them where it hurts every week (as opposed to the odd feather-ruffling every now and then, which seems enough to merit all manner of retribution), you just might be testing their endurance to its breaking point... It’s a shame your timely (and timeless) home truths are as far from reaching the masses as any prospect of relief or good governance is. As handwringing desis will have it, “What to do??”

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Amaan Purewal

Feb 09, 2019 01:53pm

Well said, Sir. Totally agree with you.

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Ali Vazir

Feb 09, 2019 01:55pm

Hats off to Hoodbhoy and equally to Dawn for such brilliant pieces of write-ups. Yes, we must set our priorities now straight. We must not let ourselves be dictated by war mongers from outside and inside. Peace is the only way ahead.

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Sweets

Feb 09, 2019 01:58pm

"Water and boundary disputes with India are serious and Bangladesh suffers bullying by its bigger neighbour on matters of illegal immigration, drugs, etc."Your wrong here sir.There is no more border dispute.India gave more land(enclaves) to Bangladesh and citizenship rights to people there.Pm Modi and Pm Haseena signed settlement long back.Regarding water dispute it's not with India it's with China who is building dams upstream of India,Bhutan and Bangladesh.

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Noaman

Feb 09, 2019 02:01pm

Brilliant article, perhaps a book or a series of articles would aid in enlightening us in pre & post 1971 era of both wings of Pakistan, as most of us are post 1970-80 generation. Thanks

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Sher Jang Gilgit-Baltistan

Feb 09, 2019 02:03pm

Pakistan is ready to change its stance and transformed itself from a war economy into a peace economy but who would provide guarantee that India would follow suit and do not poke it's head into the matters of external security.
Would it not be better to call on to the international community to intervene in resolving the Kashmir Issue once and for all. Because it is the solve dispute that has parted the ways of both countries from paths of progress to the ravine of collateral destruction despite the fact that most Pakistanis are still ready to forget the history of India in its overtures in 1971 debacle.
As far as the matter of the progress is concerned, it is true that our past policies made by both unscrupulous civ-mil leadership have doomed us and warrants a fresh revisit to fix our ills.

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Hemant

Feb 09, 2019 02:04pm

Can’t agree more than anyone..
This is what I comment every time and stupid moderators just block the comment!
Good that the same moderators are also not moderating experts opinion!

Learn to use brain rather than getting overwhelmed by emotions!!

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Anonym

Feb 09, 2019 02:04pm

Really enjoyed your article, finally something decent Dawn published rather than rehashed articles about Kashmir and which invariably breads resentment in minds of pakistani based english readers.

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ThisZebraHasSpots

Feb 09, 2019 02:05pm

@Saleem, Every politician and military dictator has destroyed Pakistan - so why only blame the last 10 years

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Agreed

Feb 09, 2019 02:06pm

Bangladesh has overtaken Pakistan since the last ten years. This is a reminder where we are and where others in the neighborhood. We have brainwashed and indoctrinated ourselves, and have ourselves to blame and no one else. The author has written on a very sensitive subject, each word, sentence, paragraph, comma, full stop, has been weighed so the censors do not have an excuse not to have this article published. The message goes against the very grain, thinking, ideology about how Pakistan has been governed, and why Pakistan has got it very wrong, and the very cogent reasons why this country has to change. But who cares!! those who are in charge are not interested. Our fixation with India, has made our polices, economics, focus, into a nation of beggars, unable to stand on own two feet after 71 years of independence. If we continue with our policies, which we are, under duress, there is little hope even for the next 71 years. Great article.

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SHARAT GUPTA

Feb 09, 2019 02:07pm

He is wonderful righter and thinker, with absolute clarity on the subject he author. Sadly though, his thoughts are not liked and shared by the Pakistani establishment. Pakistan could have been richer, if people like him are given due recognition.

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BK

Feb 09, 2019 02:07pm

No one hears you professor!

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Zak

Feb 09, 2019 02:11pm

Another 10 years of IK and we woukd have surpassed all nations in south asia. Btw Bangladesh garment export is mainly based on pakistani cotton.

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V K Mahendra

Feb 09, 2019 02:12pm

Bangladesh has improved relation with India by stopping the activities of 'strategic assets'. It doesn't mean that there is no dispute between the neighbors. There is a significant investment by Indian entrepreneur in textile and many other areas and above all there is a trust and genuine desire to settle the things. Obsession with Kashmir has put Pakistan in such a trap that even if they want to come out of it, China will not allow it to happen. Because of Kashmir, there is a booming production of 'non state actors' who have created such a havoc in the country that no foreign investor is ready to invest there. Thus China who enjoys virtual monopoly and has got a captive market without any competition, will never allow Pakistan from becoming a 'client state' to a truly independent and debt free state.Unfortunately nobody listen to such few sane voices like Dr Parvez Hoodbhoy.

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Neutral

Feb 09, 2019 02:16pm

The authors solution will be politically unacceptable but feasible short term to cut defence expenditure. Only way out of the aid/loan trap is to improve economy which would allow increased defence expenditure to make up any shortfall. Without any natural resources Pakistan has to manufacture which requires education/training.

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Bujji

Feb 09, 2019 02:18pm

India too has overtaken Pakistan in income per head after 1991. Earlier Pakistan had higher income per capita. This is because India spends less than half of what Pakistan spends on armed forces as percent of its national income.

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S.Ahmad Washington D.C.

Feb 09, 2019 02:19pm

Cold-blooded but brilliant analysis, which unfortunately will fall on deaf ears! When will you pull your proboscis out of sand?

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Worried Indian

Feb 09, 2019 02:19pm

Instead, to move forward, Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy.-So true! A comparison of the defence budget to GDP of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan will prove the point further! I think Bangladesh will outstrip India soon in per capita income

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Ashish

Feb 09, 2019 02:22pm

"Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ from the rooftops while obsequiously taking dictation from the Americans, Chinese, and Saudis has taken us nowhere. " Hats off sir to your deep knowledge of reality and then having courage to express it publicly.

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Aysha

Feb 09, 2019 02:22pm

Some professors in the comment section have started trolling Zardari and NS without reading and understanding the article. How deeply this society is infested with hate.

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Vaibhav

Feb 09, 2019 02:23pm

Very nice article

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Rebirth

Feb 09, 2019 02:26pm

This article is useful but the issue is with the variables that were held constant.

B only borders one country. P borders half the world (population wise).

P's geostrategic location means many players compete over it for influence.

P is also, geographically larger and more diverse. Therefore, fault-lines are sought demographically.

B is a largely monolithic society with maybe a right and left but by and large, they're all the same, which means it's harder for others to interfere and easier to govern.

A lot can be learned from B but we cannot hold these variables constant and juxtapose based on numbers, alone.

P's unofficial policy of "restructuring" loans to grab manufacturing plants while extortion was ongoing ('08-'13) resulted in a steep drop in exports. It was a zero-sum-game as B's textile exports increased, at the same time.

But a lot of points are still noteworthy, nonetheless.

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Tanveer

Feb 09, 2019 02:33pm

@Saleem, Do we really think they are the only culprits? Come on, it's a collective failure if all instituitions and failure to adapt to changing world There are some signs though that the most powerful instuition is shifting it's thinking

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Vikas

Feb 09, 2019 02:39pm

@Ujla sitara, what a silly joke?

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Aafiyat Nazar

Feb 09, 2019 02:40pm

Thanks Sir for showing mirror to Pakistan's ruling elite...But unfortunately they are in a state of denial...to them...they are perfect and the mirror is really bad, which turns the beautiful face into the ugliest one....Lets hope and pray that a realization gets started and the lessons are learnt..

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Lone, Indian Occupied Kashmir

Feb 09, 2019 02:42pm

This is an extremely nice and well-balanced piece of "literary and informative" work in relation to this subject. The comparison is brilliant and fascinating because the author hasn't put in many efforts to substantiate his argument on a political and historical basis.
Bangladesh got independence because they were being brutally discriminated in Pakistan and that is it. Period
"Thirsting for vengeance, Pakistan’s establishment could think of nothing beyond wounded honor and ways to settle scores with India." I think that's again right because the author thinks it to be right.
There happened nothing prior to '71.
1965 War has no relevance.
India was always a sober friend with no ill-will against her neighbors.
Pakistan has nothing to do with Kashmir because Kashmir was never a political issue of Pakistan.

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RAJIV NEKKANTI

Feb 09, 2019 02:43pm

@Sher Jang Gilgit-Baltistan, This negative mindset is what's gotten Pakistan to its current state. Keep this kind of thinking going and Pakistan will be in a much worse state in about 20 years from now.

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Ghulam Mujtaba

Feb 09, 2019 02:52pm

Surprising element is that there is no physics in the article

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krishna

Feb 09, 2019 02:54pm

@Ashmita, : I am wearing a T-Shirt for Giordano, in KSA, which is made in Bangladesh..kudos

Very well said! Excellent fact based article calling a spade a spade as it should be.

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biplob gope

Feb 09, 2019 03:04pm

good article.

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Shahzeb Mahar

Feb 09, 2019 03:05pm

Best article.

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SAM

Feb 09, 2019 03:08pm

Beautifully written. Lessons to be learned. Actions to be taken. Minds to be changed. Privileges to be withdrawn.

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Ariful Islam

Feb 09, 2019 03:14pm

Bangladesh is now Targeting IT sector and Pharmacy sector. More than 3/4 IT Zone are making in Bangladesh and expected to start export from 2019.
In addition, Garments sector of Bangladesh are already 2nd biggest export country after China.

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Adil

Feb 09, 2019 03:16pm

Amazing read as always.... I hope pakistan will get its thinking straight and more importance will be given to human development.

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Hassan

Feb 09, 2019 03:16pm

Holding hands with America and Saudi Arabia didn’t take us anywhere.
Very well written, bravo!!!

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Dr Hamza

Feb 09, 2019 03:21pm

Very well written and presented!
Thanks Sir for the enlightment in this matter!

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Gaz

Feb 09, 2019 03:30pm

Two words are the answer, Shariffs and Zardaris.

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Neutral

Feb 09, 2019 03:30pm

Comments suggesting Kashmir is the only issue are forgetting that there are multiple border disputes between India and Pak. India has enjoyed political stability at the expense of Pak and it serves their purpose.

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Ashok

Feb 09, 2019 03:33pm

Wow great, pragmatic true picture presentation. Who will think in a sane manner? Who will bell the cat? I wish everyone thinks with a clear head without emotions. It's not easy and practical to attack any country. Spend wisely and come out from the economic mess. All the best brothers.

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Saad jadoon

Feb 09, 2019 03:34pm

I am not a big fan of his articles,but thumbs up for that one.Brilliantly articulated one

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Ali Sabir

Feb 09, 2019 03:34pm

Believe me Sir, you are the one who would know. You wrote, "Bangladesh produces no cotton but, to the chagrin of Pakistan’s pampered textile industry, it has eaten savagely into its market share." This is pure truth. --- From 1971 to this time when it came to the ease of doing business abroad Bangladesh held all the face cards. In Pakistan every politician and his brother and every bureaucrat and his brother charge a fee for service to companies doing business (outside and in addition to government regulations). The ease of doing business is totally absent.

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Luke Rehmat

Feb 09, 2019 03:34pm

Very well written articles based on data. Investing in human development would be solution for strong economy. Priorities state will determines where we would like to stand in next few years. If we continue the same strategies as did in past depending on mentioned countries, Then consequence we will met. There is no doubt.

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RAja Raman

Feb 09, 2019 03:37pm

Wow...Spot on. Professor Hoodbhoy never ceases to amaze. Bold and timely analysis. Even though Sheikh Haseena behaves like a dictator, She focuses more on economy. In 80s & 90s, more students from Bangladesh used to come to India, but now they are heading US & UK. Answer is simple, focus on the governance.

I envy Pakistanis for having a fearless thought leader like Prof Hoodbhoy.

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DHA Valley

Feb 09, 2019 03:37pm

Worth thinking about. Economics and human capital are the differentiators of today, not just military superiority.

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Akram

Feb 09, 2019 03:42pm

another insightful piece from the professor, I could not agree more. The question is will our security forces pay heed to this lesson? When the former Army Chief Mirza Aslam Beg has already admitted fixing the 1990 election, in front of the supreme court (Asghar Khan case). How much longer are we expected to wait for the armed forces to realise they have hugely damaged the interests of Pakistan? It is only the civilians that can lead the way out of this mess, but will the security forces concede and learn?

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Abdullah Alvi

Feb 09, 2019 03:42pm

Stats are good, but when your next-door-neighbor doesn’t admit your existence as a separate nation, though ideologically, and is always in a pursuit to engulf it, then your foreign policy determinants change accordingly. Bangladesh was the produce of Indian plan of such mentality. Agreed, human development index need a closer look in Pakistan, but no denial that it has much to do in regional stability sphere. Had there been no Pakistan in between India and Middle-East, the whole of the Muslim states would have been on a single artillery-fire distance. Put it this way, Pakitan is sacrificing for Muslim Ummah as well as for the Two-Nation theory: it was not burried in 1971, rather by the creation of another Muslim state in the subcontinent it got strength, once again. Let Pakistan groom in political sphere. It would certainly rise and shine- not only economically but also strategically.

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jyoti

Feb 09, 2019 03:43pm

I am at the amazed the the growth of Bangladesh in the last decade. As even IK has remarked Pakistan should learn from them. First lesson to be learnt is that trade with neighbours and second lesson is that even though there are myriad of problems between India and Bangladesh it doesn't affect people to people communication. There are more than 170 flights to Dacca every week besides 100s of busses but only three flights to Pakistan. Come let us all keep our emotive issues in the back burners and celebrate as good neighbours.

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Tariq, Lahore

Feb 09, 2019 03:43pm

It's long time since we ditched our so call 'pride' and face reality, lets face it what have to be proud about?

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Akram

Feb 09, 2019 03:44pm

@Rahul Singh, you give india more credit than it deserves. something tells me you are in for a big disappointment in life.

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Sam

Feb 09, 2019 03:52pm

Under PTI Pakistan is on course correction, you just need to give some time to IK.

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Narinder Grover

Feb 09, 2019 04:05pm

Great reading from our physics teacher who likes to provide evidence for his conclusions on such a range of subjects. You are doing a great job even though you may feel frustrated at times. Keep it up sir

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RVK

Feb 09, 2019 04:11pm

Pakistan is lucky to have somebody like Hoodbhoy. I can just think how good a teacher he can be. You have to first realize your mistakes to correct them. Hope this world had more of this kind of people.

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WISE1

Feb 09, 2019 04:13pm

Well articulated as to why and how Bangladesh has progressed in comparison to Pakistan. Persons like him should advice the PM and establishment for Pakistan to change course. Good luck and Best Wishes.

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Pakistani Human

Feb 09, 2019 04:13pm

Great and truth based article. Alas, our establishment is still making political directions. We hope to let the civilian government to make the decisions for the country. We should and must shift from the military economy to the science base industry and economy!

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Shakir Lakhani

Feb 09, 2019 04:21pm

@javed helali dhakawala, how do you know the religion of the writer?

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Naveed Riaz

Feb 09, 2019 04:22pm

Expellant Article

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Sam

Feb 09, 2019 04:28pm

If only some politicians and establishment are this honest in their analysis..
True love for the country means doing what is right for the country rather than for their own pockets.

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Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 04:30pm

Pakistan was created by politicians, but some go out of their way to discredit them. Many of them may be corrupt, but many are honest and dedicated too. Only unfettered democracy can ensure success in the future.

@Masud Khan, That is why Author has pointed out that at a growth rate of over 7% and Pakistan growth rate falling below 5% it might take a couple of years for Bangladesh to overtake Pakistan GDP. The numbers you pointed out belong to 2017-2018 fiscal year.

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jojio bangash

Feb 09, 2019 04:36pm

Excellent article! from and esteemed professor in pakistan

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Ganesh S

Feb 09, 2019 04:43pm

The professor never ceases to amaze me with his brilliance and courage in telling it like it is.

Bangladesh does have the advantage of not having to spend too much on its military. However, I believe the primary reason that country is moving ahead of Pakistan is its commitment to secularism. Not withstanding some concessions to religion, the state manages to be practically secular. When you say everyone is equal before the law, then everyone has a stake in the republic.

I don't wish to sound sarcastic but I somehow get the feeling that a Bangladeshi citizen applying for a passport does not need to provide a strange and irrelevant commitment that people of a certain community are not Muslims.

With secularism being criticized 24x7 in some quarters in my country, India, this is something some people here might want to think about.

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M.Emad

Feb 09, 2019 04:43pm

Please move to Bangladesh, we will make you education minister

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Syed Irfan Ali

Feb 09, 2019 04:43pm

Brave analysis in today’s Pakistan.

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P. S. Natarajan

Feb 09, 2019 04:44pm

You must remember that Bengalis by and large are intellectually superior to other inhabitants of the subcontinent. Remember that the first Asian to win Nobel Prize was a Bengali. By the way, I am not Bengali.

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Fahim Kazi

Feb 09, 2019 04:54pm

Brilliant piece !!!

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Fahim Kazi

Feb 09, 2019 04:56pm

Wish this article gets translated and published in Urdu magazines and dailies as well

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Ghosh

Feb 09, 2019 04:57pm

In India, I have never seen a product in the market made by our neighbours like Nepal, Sri Lanka or Pakistan excepting for Bangladesh. Bangladeshi food, beverage, juice and ready-made garments are available in the Indian market at much cheaper rates than the local products. Also, some Bangladeshi banks and service sectors are there in India. There is also a huge cross-border trade between Bangladesh and India

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Dove

Feb 09, 2019 05:00pm

A master peace

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Kamal Aggarwal

Feb 09, 2019 05:02pm

@Talha, actually they have not worked in the past also. Time to take corrective steps for both of us.

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Qasim

Feb 09, 2019 05:04pm

Simply wisdom at its best.

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Syed ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 05:07pm

@KRISHNAMURTHY, the bullying is in the form of denying access to water by building dams upstream. India is yet to agree to fair and equitable distribution of water and with Bangladesh.

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Well meaning

Feb 09, 2019 05:11pm

another masterpeice

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mukesh kumar

Feb 09, 2019 05:15pm

well comparison of facts and figures. with the growing world and its tactics to acquire development. Pakistan's institutions will have to shift from old tactics and need to take intended measure for economic growth, human development and also for peace stability in the region.

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excalibur

Feb 09, 2019 05:16pm

Comment on the Two Nation Theory is misplaced and invalid Please refrain from such biased opinion masquerading as fact

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Munir Ahmad Kakar

Feb 09, 2019 05:17pm

OMG ! How we have wasted our scarce resources. How brutally we have squandered our physical and intellectual wealth. What a tragic story is unfolding before our eyes. Will there ever be a time when heed is paid to what the honorable Professor is suggesting.

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Haider

Feb 09, 2019 05:21pm

Good approach prof sb! You have best pointed out our inability to prioritise our requirements, but you have missed out on the requirements of defence sector. If I simplify your opinion, i can say that we should focus on well-being of our society. Its true to an extent as long as well being and development is concerned. BUT on the other hand, we are living in a world full of friends and foes. Simply speaking, in a jungle full of predators, we have two options: either be a prey or a predator, choise is yours.

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Zaheer

Feb 09, 2019 05:22pm

Impressive as usual.

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Atul

Feb 09, 2019 05:22pm

All golden words but anyone listens to you Sir?

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Anwar Khan

Feb 09, 2019 05:24pm

The success of Bangladesh is simply. Everyone in Bangladesh is a Bengali and a proud one. Whereas in Pakistan we are still holding on to being Muslims first, Punjabi, Phaktoon, Baloch and Muhajir second and Pakistani in the end.

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skumar

Feb 09, 2019 05:24pm

very nice article... For bengalis their language and culture comes first and are strongly rooted in identity/pride. Punjabis are also similar, however, unfortunately they allowed/sacrificed (in the name of unity)-their culture and language to be subsumed ..

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Haider

Feb 09, 2019 05:30pm

@Naveed, I have also lived in ME and I found the opposite. Being dormant and subdued doesnt mean well behaved and well brought up. Its not personal skill or better education that results in better hiring of Indians, bangladeshis or philipinos, rather it is the state policy of GCC countries and the diplomatic supermacy of India etc.
At one instant,during 2012-2014, pakistanis were deported from UAE for no reason.

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Haider

Feb 09, 2019 05:33pm

@KRISHNAMURTHY, reread the article. Prof sb is referring to bullying related to border disputes(just like India has been bullying on LOC and water resources)

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Hussain Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 05:35pm

What a great post!

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Tariq Feroz

Feb 09, 2019 05:36pm

Excellent article and very factual. Unfortunately our people in power have never had the capacity to visualize medium to long term goals or have the capacity to implement short term national objectives. Nations do not progress by shouting slogans or maligning opponents - they need realistic goals, honest leaders, and effective administration.

My friend, we don’t want or need Gilgit and Baltistan. We are happy with the land we have and are willing to make peace.

There is a sustained misinformation campaign in your country that India has territorial design on your country. Our focus is on economic development and catching up with China.

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Amin Karim, Dhaka

Feb 09, 2019 05:40pm

It appears that the esteemed author has not visited Bangladesh and not aware of ground realities; Bangladesh textile export is largely due to transfer of small scale textile industry from Karachi and small towns of Punjab to Dhaka due to lack of energy/power shortage!

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sabir

Feb 09, 2019 05:41pm

to the point,and very real parlance we must learn lesson from bangladesh.

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RNMN

Feb 09, 2019 05:42pm

Maybe PM IK should visit Bangladesh. It would be wise if he tried to adopt there vision rather then going to other countries like Malaysia, UAE and even China for help. Also stating that would like to adopt there economic miracle.
Whereas the truth is that 2 brothers Bangladesh and India are both performing an Economic miracle and he/ Pakistan has only to look into its own backyard for it to develop like them. In fact maybe even better considering the resources it has.

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Asif

Feb 09, 2019 05:45pm

Excellent and eye opening article as usual fro Hoodbhoy. The question is do the decision makers in Pakistan read Dawn and articles specially from Hoodbhoy?

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Sweets

Feb 09, 2019 05:48pm

@Zak, I can't believe you think having more illiterate population where you cannot provide basic necessities like food,water,land, education and quality of life is good for per capita debt to GDP. We are moving into world of protectionism where every country protects jobs moving to countries with cheaper quality labour. Some are even building walls, moving out of free market (Brexit) and tarrifs on cheap imports.With more robotics, automation in informal sector you want more mouths to feed?

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moazi

Feb 09, 2019 05:54pm

Opportunistic mindset is a common practice by BD rulers and people in power. Being more ethnically and linguistically united there are much fewer issues and problems to deal for the government compared to Pakistan. The scale of corruption is much less compared to Pakistan at the top levels of the government

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Arvind

Feb 09, 2019 06:02pm

Absolutely brilliant. Same country till 1971, but different priorities created completely different countries in past 4 decades.

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Tariq Rahim

Feb 09, 2019 06:05pm

@Ghulam Mujtaba , stupid observation

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2019 06:06pm

@sach baat,
Bitter reality of Pakistan is that Pakistan always made tremendous progress under so called military Dictators for example
1) Gen Ayub Khan,
2) Gen Pervaiz Musharraf as he too no loans
He kept foreign reserves as well as currency strong to 60 Rs vs Us dollar in his entire 9 years regime which was much better than Bangladesh
Now we know after more than 10 years
Such a disaster and pk currency has dropped down to the lowest in the region with overwhelming Debts

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Hanif

Feb 09, 2019 06:10pm

India is also doing exactly what Pakistan doing but they can afford it. The biggest issue in Pakistan is there is not merit any where in Pakistan. India education is far better. There is no comparision. Even new governament is also run on same principal and values as all previous governments. Not sure how long we can still sell our geo-strategics assets. No focus on human development, better education or merit and moral base society. Inid and Bangladesh are far better then Pakistan. We treat prople of our 3 provenience as second class citizen. Our army is involved so deeply in money making busniess that it does not look like a professional army any more.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Feb 09, 2019 06:16pm

Admitting our mistake for fighting for a separate homeland for the Muslims of India in pre-partition days, should we go for uniting the two Muslim majority independent countries in the sub-continent back into one United India? Will that resolve all our issues and problems which exist today? Perhaps the worthy writer will enlighten us on the subject and the way to follow to achieve the objective?

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Reddy USA

Feb 09, 2019 06:19pm

This is the most practical article I have ever read from Pak. Very honest and creditworthy. If Pak does not change its course imagine where every other Asian country would be by 2020 compared to it.

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Shahid Khan

Feb 09, 2019 06:24pm

A very good piece of writing. No doubt, if we set are priorities correctly, we'll be in our way to progress. Unfortunately, Pakistan has chosen very unwisely in the past. Despite of its brave, motivated and highly professional armed forces, great scientists, good scholars, courageous people and more we were unable to grow economically. Its time to think, rethink and set our priorities right; investment in HR along with R&D and lot of lot of trainings with good business policies and accountability will put our country on the right track. Our enemy has tried its best to fail this state but with the grace of Almighty, Sacrifices of Our Armed Forces and civilians we have failed the plans of our enemy. Yes, now this is the right time to invest in HR and get the results.

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VRPatil

Feb 09, 2019 06:27pm

@Kaka,
To the point analysis.

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VRPatil

Feb 09, 2019 06:28pm

@BLUE KNIGHT,
Rightly pointed out.

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M. Emad

Feb 09, 2019 06:32pm

Bangladesh is a Victorious country.

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Aladin

Feb 09, 2019 06:33pm

On an average 6500 Bangladeshi National visited India per day on official visa last year. 2.1 million in that year.

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anonymous

Feb 09, 2019 06:35pm

@Zak, This is called height of optimism.

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ashutosh mishra

Feb 09, 2019 06:37pm

Esteemed professor got it wrong just once in historical terms. It is about Indo-Bangla disputes relating to boundary and water. Sir, we settled the land and water boundary with Sheikh Hasina giving her way more land than we took in exchange of enclaves. That helped her against her domestic political opponents. On the waterfront, the Teesta waters sharing; it is not Sheikh Hasina but our very own jingoistic provincial chief minister, the rabble-rousing Mamta Bannerjee that blocked our the then prime minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Modi has just stopped short of taking that up since he will first weaken Mamta Banerjee politically in elections, and then give Bangladesh's Shiekh Hasina the deal she wants on the waters dispute that is an emotive one. We have much too stake in our neighbors Pakistan included...

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raj kumar

Feb 09, 2019 06:37pm

"Water and boundary disputes with India are serious and Bangladesh suffers bullying by its bigger neighbour"
Boundary dispute already settelled with Bangladesh,we have exchanged lands where in India gave away more land then it got,but no chest thumping from either side.
Water dispute is there and we are trying to settle the same by persuading our state governments in the east,remember persuading is the word not bullying.

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KHALED

Feb 09, 2019 06:39pm

@Srk, absolutely right

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Bilal

Feb 09, 2019 06:55pm

A good Chronicle of History's Events, Economical Statics of Pak & Bungladesh. However, few facts need due Considerations:- (1) Its said, Move Forward while learning from Past. For First Time, Anti Corruption Campaign has been launched, if it is taken to its end, all statics ie Economy, Human Development , Foreign Policy, etc would see exceptional Growth. (2) Institutionalization has already started up. Executive, Judiciary & Military are on Same Page. To conclude, please give Time to present Govt, have patience and LOOK FORWARD!

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subhash jolly

Feb 09, 2019 07:04pm

Excellent!

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Rp

Feb 09, 2019 07:08pm

Just beautiful and a courageous article. It is going to ruffle a lot of feathers though.

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VRPatil

Feb 09, 2019 07:11pm

@Zak,
Excellent joke....

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Zoha Gondal

Feb 09, 2019 07:24pm

Thanks for discussing this important topic. It should be a stimulus for reflection and change.
Zoha

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Zoha Gondal

Feb 09, 2019 07:25pm

Good article!

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Swamy

Feb 09, 2019 07:26pm

"From a war economy to a peace economy". Appears enchanting. However, it will, I fear, prove a distant dream. Kudos to the author for he, as always, calls a spade a spade. We in India hope for peace economy for Pakistan.

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Asif A. Shah

Feb 09, 2019 07:28pm

An honest, realistic and objective assessment. We need to know who we are, where are we in the world and follow realistic goals. We need to think some creative ways to deal with India. We cannot match the Indian defense spending, therefore, we need to spend on the human development. Incidentally, PTI has talked about it a lot, now it is its turn to follow up on it.

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Rht

Feb 09, 2019 07:31pm

@Masud Khan, I think the answer to both "why" and "how" is in the article.

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Abp

Feb 09, 2019 07:34pm

God bless you, Sir- - an excellent article. I wish all Pakistanis read this and see the mirror. Unfortunately, we have become a nation that will never sits back and learns any lesson. In order to turn our titanic around, we need a radical shift and I don’t see that happening. We need a leader like Chile’s General Panaashai who turned his Latin American country into the best country in that continent.

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Hemant

Feb 09, 2019 07:34pm

@Chacha Jee, India has no role in Bangladesh textile industry.

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Waseem

Feb 09, 2019 07:36pm

Outstanding piece of writing with facts and figures doing the bulk of the work combined with an incisive insight which makes it extremely persuasive to reset the sails.

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Majeed at Thani

Feb 09, 2019 07:38pm

What a dumb question. Anyone who asks the question obviously does not understand how our country has been undermined by corrupt leaders. Let us focus on that for a change.

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Jamil Ahmed

Feb 09, 2019 07:39pm

The democracy has the power to make people move forward, inspite of all the faults. I want all the best for Pakistan and specially it's people, whose ambitions and needs are not any different from anywhere alse in this world. Good article.

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Mmr

Feb 09, 2019 07:45pm

@Chacha Jee, India do not have any role on textile export of Bangladesh...or it’s pharmacy sector which will over take India in coming years on back of patent advantage it get till 2041. Bangladesh is emerging as direct competitors in many sectors with India. India has lost out to Vietnam Thailand Indonesia many other counties before and now losing out to Bangladesh slowly because of wrong policies.

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vinay

Feb 09, 2019 07:48pm

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. Simply excellent.

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Abraham D Haque

Feb 09, 2019 07:49pm

@Gaz, nonsense

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Zaman Azad

Feb 09, 2019 07:51pm

Looks like gentleman professor knows everything. He might also want to learn that Bangladesh's per capita GDP is still nearly half of Pakistan. So is per capita income. It is run by a dictatorship currently and murder and disappearance of political opponents is routine and not exception. Most of its so called GDP growth is concocted figure. Human development? I was born in Bangladesh and currently live in the west. Routinely I encounter Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Engineering and technical migrants from Pakistan are far better trained than those from Bangladesh. Just look at the level of English skill of the Bangladeshis. Pakistan has its own geopolitical pressure and has certain priorities and relevant expenses unlike Bangladesh which is currently more of a Indian state than an independent country, Sure enough Pakistan has a long way to go and need to address many issues and grievances but professors articles is no fact. The first thing professor should do is publish some high quality scientific articles instead of such half baked political articles.

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vinay

Feb 09, 2019 07:52pm

Somebody should fax this article to PM Imran Khan.

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Manizeh Rajak

Feb 09, 2019 07:58pm

Only an intellectual like Dr Hoodbhoy could have said such such damming words and that too so aptly.

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Saqib

Feb 09, 2019 07:58pm

Our more than 50% of the problems can be solved if the establishment works under jurisdiction provided by 1973 constitution.

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Ramesh Sharma

Feb 09, 2019 08:02pm

@Zak, What a strange logic.

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Sridhar Raghunatha Rao

Feb 09, 2019 08:04pm

Message is very clear. It's not late, even now, to act realistically and lead the Country to glory.

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Another Sane Pakistani

Feb 09, 2019 08:10pm

Very good article! Facts that many people know but can not articulate in this manner to reach a point to realize 'what went wrong'. Fabricated beliefs can not build high towers, it needs solid foundations that sticks to the ground and realities ( truth). Pakistanis always looked down to Indians, looked down to Bangladeshis, looked down to Middle Eastern ( at some point) and now look down to Afghanis. Why???? Pride and confidence is one thing and arrogance another.

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Pervez

Feb 09, 2019 08:10pm

@Masterstroke, the Dhaka International Airport handled twice the traffic compared to Karachi and Islamabad airports put together doesn’t that tell us something?

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Impartial

Feb 09, 2019 08:15pm

All boils down to the vision of the leaders! Pakistani leaders had a vision of having to 'eat grass' at the expense of human development, whereas the Bengalis, despite all the poverty, political issues and other short comings quietly worked for the human development. And, you see the result!

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Tabish Ayaz

Feb 09, 2019 08:19pm

Everybody knows it I guess, although the question is who is gonna bell the mighty 'CAT' ?

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Mutasim

Feb 09, 2019 08:24pm

@KRISHNAMURTHY, highly disagree. Talk on statistics. India does business with Bangladesh, dont just help economic development. Its India's huge market for export, depends on remittance sent from Bangladesh which amount is more than $10 Billon/y. Bangldeshis are number 1 as tourist in Indiaand what more! illegl Bangladeshi issue is just a political propganda in India. They are happy inside their border.

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S

Feb 09, 2019 08:35pm

I was born a decade before Bangladesh's independence. In 40 years Bangladesh has progressed beyond imagination. In New York I have many Bangladeshi acquaintances who are young. I marvel at their love for Bangladesh and for their hope for a better future, which is certainly taking place. Prof. Hoodbhoy's article is an eye opener. One can't make progress by ignoring minorities, ignoring health and education and only depending on military might to demonstrate progress. Its a failed recipe.

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Rashid

Feb 09, 2019 08:38pm

Hoodbhoy I believe besides all the reason above, one main reason that BD is ahead of Pakistan is that unlike Pakistan, there is only one big ethnic group in BD, and that is Bengali's. No excuse, but uniting different ethnicity on one agenda in Pakistan is so far a fruitless effort. Besides this BD never had been on the path of fanaticism like we have been since last 40-45 years.

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Patriot

Feb 09, 2019 08:40pm

Informative and well elaborated one thing missing in artical is description of INDIA involvement, creating Mukti Bahni, and its role now as a dictator for BD policies, plus recent facts of executions of JI workers based on falsified facts.
But on the whole BD growth is impressive and many lessons to be learnt for PAK like feudalism and dictators, and looter political leaders etc.. are the factors hindring its growth..

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Zak

Feb 09, 2019 08:40pm

@Ramesh Sharma, I agree. But we are applying it in India.

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S

Feb 09, 2019 08:41pm

@Mmr , More power to Bangladesh. We want our neighbors to compete with us in trade not military based upon convoluted reasoning.

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Pervez

Feb 09, 2019 08:44pm

@Zak, as usual you information is incorrect, we do not grown cotton we import it from India as it is cheap. Even if we were growing cotton sending it to Bangladesh would be costly as Indians don’t allow Pakistani good thru their country as we don’t allow their trucks to go to Afghanistan thru our country. In addition Bangladeshi labour is in big demand in Indian agricultural sector.

Excellent, excellent article, I have been saying these things to my friends since 1980s. Every Pakistani should read it, so there is no doubt in anyone's mind that who is responsible for Pakistan's current situation.

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Riaz Haq

Feb 09, 2019 09:11pm

Unlike Pakistan’s economy, Bangladesh’s economy is heavily dependent on low cost ready made garment exports which benefit from the country’s low wages and preferences for LDC “Least Developed Country” designation. These advantages are likely to disappear with rising wages and development. Pakistan’s economy is much more diversified than Bangladesh’s and likely to grow faster in future, according to Harvard Kennedy school’s economic forecast.

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Imran Bahattar

Feb 09, 2019 09:22pm

@New Yorker Indian, Welcome to the club of the ostracised.

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sachin

Feb 09, 2019 09:24pm

very odd

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Imran Bahattar

Feb 09, 2019 09:26pm

@Abul Alam, I came to Canada over 40 years ago. About 35 years ago I told a Canadian friend, who was belittling Bangladesh and calling it a basket case, that in 50 to 60 years Bangladesh will become Canada and Canada will become erstwhile Bangladesh. Recent forays by PM Trudeu to garner Sikh and Muslim votes in Canada are leading us in exactly that direction. CHEERS!

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NPS

Feb 09, 2019 09:37pm

Standing ovations, sir, hats off to you!!!

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Random Indian

Feb 09, 2019 09:39pm

Great article sir, as one would expect from you!

One data point to mention. Maximum number of foreign tourists to India come from Bangladesh, more than 2 million per year. As someone else has mentioned there are hundreds of flights every week, not just to Kolkata but other cities across India from Dhaka. Multiple train services as well as dozens of buses.

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Anil

Feb 09, 2019 09:40pm

There are very few reporters or intellectuals who can match Parvez sir.

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Sandeep

Feb 09, 2019 09:56pm

One of the best article from 2019, great comparison
Its not about bangadesh, pakistan or India, its about what we focus today vs what we should focus.

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Jehengir khan

Feb 09, 2019 09:57pm

Just one word: Excellent...

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Tamza

Feb 09, 2019 10:06pm

The LARGEST reason is EDUCATION. Everything else then falls in place.

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Abdulla

Feb 09, 2019 10:12pm

Just one correction. Bangladesh has not controlled it's population. More than 50 million bangldeshis have migrated to India illegally.

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Bulla

Feb 09, 2019 10:15pm

Superb narration. Ultimately, both have great goodwill for each other, time will be sooner or later that both see the prosperity lies in closing in

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Anis Motiwala

Feb 09, 2019 10:24pm

Kudos Hoodbhoy !

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John

Feb 09, 2019 10:34pm

Where is Zak? Any comments Zak?

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Manzer

Feb 09, 2019 10:44pm

I just looked at the labour wages which is a prime factor in cost of producing good: Bangladesh: $224; India: $767; Pakistan: $1707 per year. This is the main reason why Bangladesh competes so well against Pakistani product. While, not to take away from the impressive development of Bangladesh we should also consider the following statistics:
Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) (% of population)
Pakistan 6.1% in 2013 dropped to 4% in 2015
Bangladesh 19.6% in 2010 dropped to 14.8% in 2016
India 31.1% in 2009 dropped to 21.2% 2011. Couldn't find the current figure.

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Hareem

Feb 09, 2019 10:50pm

Well articulated and thoroughly explained, as always!

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Wasaaf Basit

Feb 09, 2019 10:57pm

What a brilliant article. one of the best I read.

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tanzeem sabina chowdhury

Feb 09, 2019 11:00pm

@Kaka, very well said!

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NPS

Feb 09, 2019 11:04pm

@Zak, what a foolish assumption!

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Nadeem Iqbal

Feb 09, 2019 11:14pm

Great article, for Pakistan we have to change some ways. Exceclent point about population control, as third world country we have to start educating our nation about it.

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Truth

Feb 09, 2019 11:32pm

@mmr get your facts correct...do you have the numbers..india is a fast growing and third biggest in Asia...India has global standing in software exports and a TOP country in automobile manufacturing and service industry....what are your facts about Pakistan? What are the areas which Thailand and Vietnam have beat India? Get your damn facts right

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Shahid

Feb 09, 2019 11:39pm

@AAhmed, agree

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Veer Singh

Feb 09, 2019 11:40pm

@Zaman Azad - Your information is factually incorrect. Firstly GDP per capita & Per capita income are the same thing and secondly, as per World Bank, Pakistan's nominal GDP Per Capita in 2018 was $1641 & Bangladesh's was $1751. So, the average Bangladeshi is about 7% richer than the average Pakistani.

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zainab

Feb 09, 2019 11:40pm

Excellent analysis as usual. It is a shame that no one in Pakistan is listening to what Dr. Hoodbhoy is saying.

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Shabir Khan

Feb 09, 2019 11:54pm

This is what we need from our scholars, to be practical and rationals for the greater good of the country and its people

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Rajan

Feb 10, 2019 12:01am

I bow my head to the journalist. Pointing the truth however bitter it could be is truly great journalism.

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Ruhul

Feb 10, 2019 12:29am

@Manzer, so u mean in bangladesh labour earn $224 yearly? Educate yourself. Even according to your logic, why china export 100 billions of garments yearly where wages are 5 times more than pakistan.

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S Alvi

Feb 10, 2019 12:33am

Excellent, and very well written!

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Zaman Azad

Feb 10, 2019 12:38am

@Veer Singh,
Not quite so. Per capita GDP and per capita income is not the same. This is ABC of economics. Then again, GDP calculation is what you provide to WB and there was allegation of manipulating GDP calcualation of India itself. Nevertheless, according to CIA, Bangladesh VS. Pakistan of GDP was 4200 vs 5400 in 2017 and Bangladeshi number was highly concocted by the present regime. If you add 6.8% growth (assuming it is not concocted), 4200 still does not jump over 5400. I do not know how WB came with those number even though 2018 has just passed! If Bangladeshis were 7% richer, why are the Bangladeshis working at the least wages in the middle east and undertaking job at wages that no Pakistani or Indian will take?

Get the fact right. Dhaka airport handles more passengers than Karachi and Islamabad together because Bangladesh has no other decent airport. Pakistan has many.

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Prashant

Feb 10, 2019 12:38am

Lovely article. But I don’t agree with the point that Bangladesh is bullied by India for water sharing or illegal migrants. Infact in 2015 India-Bangladesh went for a land swap which was very favourable towards Bangladesh.

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Dadu Khoram Shah

Feb 10, 2019 12:49am

What a reasonable voice.

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Kumar(Varanasi)

Feb 10, 2019 12:55am

Pakistan finds itself into it's present predicament only because it was sidetracked into tilting at windmills (which means fighting imaginary enemies) by its quixotic General Staff .

Instead of that , if it has devoted itself wholeheartedly into more mundane nut and bolt task of Nation building by providing universal education, nutrition and healthcare to all it's children ,then today it's workforce would have been finest in Asia , its economy most resilient and a nation at peace with itself.

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Bilal Baig

Feb 10, 2019 12:59am

The story of Bangladesh has been of great tangles. Russia and Bharat had put in all efforts to make it Bangladesh by physically providing military and diplomatic support. US only made some movements to fulfil some duty as an ally of Pakistan. After Bangladesh had become a realty USA commenced to woo Bangladesh out of the Russian camp, doling out huge economic aid. It provided free cotton export quotas while Pakistan had been starved of such textile quotas although our cotton is the best in the world. It became such a racket that Pakistani cotton exporters commenced their cotton garments factories at Bangladesh. Perhaps this writer does not seem to b aware of such help by USA to Bangladesh.

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Mann

Feb 10, 2019 01:11am

Listen to the good professor. The differential vs India will keep on growing. In next 5 to 10 years you will not matter. Act now.

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TZaman

Feb 10, 2019 01:11am

@Shakir Lakhani, Sir, do we have the guts to accept the truth you have written.

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Manjunatha

Feb 10, 2019 01:16am

Very matured and thought provoking article. However not sure, if it helps pakistan as the sane voices and people who really cares about humans have focused on moving out of the country. They have no hopes left in Pakistan. When leaders focus their resources on other country's downfall, rather than upbringing of their own citizens the country will never comeup/

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TZaman

Feb 10, 2019 01:31am

@Riaz Haq, According to our current financial situation the chances of going bankrupt is more than anything. Stop being dreamer.

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Tuglaq

Feb 10, 2019 01:42am

Great article. Pakistan had a head start compared to Bangladesh. However, the ego Is hurting it. Reminds one of the difference in economic trajectories of Argentina and US which were at par at the turn of the twentieth century. Look where they are now.

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farid

Feb 10, 2019 02:17am

Every Pakistani general should read this.

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SCBalland

Feb 10, 2019 02:29am

The writer does a great job in outlining the contrasts between Pakistan & Bangladesh. But, he omits the single most important issue on the minds & hearts of Bangladeshis & s lot of the international community. The exponential rise of human rights abuses under Sheikh Hasina, the completely doctored farce of an election in Dec., the creation of an authoritarian state, the rampant corruption that has looted billions of dollars, the lack of any free speech or media, extra judicial killings, etc. It is a very long list. Yes, the economic numbers look great but people are not happy with a govt they did not choose, one that forced its way into power & cheated the public. In a nutshell, granted, Bangladesh has advanced far beyond Pakistan but there is absolutely no constitutional legitimacy to the leadership. At least Imran Khan was wanted by the people. Sheikh Hasina has become an eyesore to Bangladesh.
People only look at statistics for Bangladesh. We must not forget the human aspect.

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Being human

Feb 10, 2019 02:31am

Wow..real honest piece. Hats off to Dawn..
All those Pakistan Zindabad crowd here should read word by word..and paste it in their living rooms..

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Reader

Feb 10, 2019 02:37am

It is time the three major countries of the subcontinent adopt cooperation instead of confrontation for the good of all who are part of the common motherland.

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Alansar

Feb 10, 2019 02:44am

Not an excellent read and unsure how this part got a Doctorate.

Bangladesh textiles are able to trade in Europe and US so its textile industry is thriving.

Pakistan which is the best textile industry in the world has restrictions to sell goods outside of Middle East and Russia.

There is NOT a level playing field for trade when it comes to Pakistani goods.

Unlike Pakistan Bangladesh has never been sacked into conflicts. Throughout its existence as an independent country Pakistan has had conflict thrusted upon her.

You are not comparing apples.for apples.

If Pakistan has the support & openness to trade like Bangladesh in the West things would be different. If Pakistan was not in conflict decade over decade, where conflict or war is thrusted upon her then her economy would thrive.

Land for land, people for people Pakistan is culturally, geographically, resourcefully, agricultural richer than Bangladesh so has the way where all to do extremely well surpassing any other Asian natio

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Alansar

Feb 10, 2019 02:47am

@Veer Singh, Pakistan was in conflict for the last decade thrusted upon her from The West.

Her GDP was the largest in West and South Asia before 911.

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schali

Feb 10, 2019 02:52am

@Ashmita, I am sure many Pakistanis are also happy with the direction that Bangladesh has taken. When a person or country uses his or her resources for self-improvement and not to become a pain in the rear of neighbors, even the competitors (even if grudgingly) wish them well.

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Satish

Feb 10, 2019 03:11am

Wow never thought I would never see the day to read a balanced article as this in here. In any case, every country wants to do good for its people. So if Pakistan were to focus on its people, I bet most of its problems including those with India would solve themselves. Empowering people not just makes country wealthier, it brings in democratic thoughts, sidelining of political interference as well as less dependence on external countries for bread and butter.

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MG

Feb 10, 2019 03:13am

Superb article. Simple reason is having wrong policies and priorities in place. We must come out of religion and Kashmir eccentric policies. It is time to wake up, smell coffee and accept ground realities.

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Tuk

Feb 10, 2019 03:15am

I don't know what your point is but all including punjabis and pathans were laughed at for one reason or other but accepted urdu as a common language. As you are so enlightened, why not contribute instead!

Recommend0

illawarrior

Feb 10, 2019 03:49am

The world, not just Pakistan, has wasted so much money on nuclear weapons, that could be far better spent on healthcare and education. Given India's geographical proximity to Pakistan, how could nukes be used without causing extensive damage to the entire region?

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javed helali dhakawala

Feb 10, 2019 03:50am

@Kaka, So true.

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Pakistani

Feb 10, 2019 03:55am

Pakistan is still superior to Bangladesh economically as evident by the living standards of its citizens. The one thing India(and then Bangladesh) did that Pakistan never really did was focus on production and industry. Their rulers were middle-class people who knew industrialization was good for the people. Pakistan was(and still is dominated) by an agrarian feudal elite, people who do not like industrialization.

Also, the other has conveniently forgotten that in the 1970s jute was a big thing. Bangladesh had a lot of jute and that helped kick start its path to industrialization.

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ThisZebraHasSpots

Feb 10, 2019 03:59am

@SHAHID SATTAR,

You don't need to ask the Professor for a solution to Pakistan's woes. Everyone knows the answer but too afraid to do it. Just cut the defense budget by 70% and see the miracle.

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S.Subrahmanyam

Feb 10, 2019 04:01am

Parvez Hoodbhoy is a sane, wise critic. His articles are a delight to read. The powers that may be must heed his advice. Pakistan has reached a dead-end and needs to radically change it’s policy towards economic growth and welfare of its citizens.

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zaheer Qureshi

Feb 10, 2019 04:18am

I met Pervez Hoodbhoy in Houston and had a privilege of having breakfast with him and my brother at the Houston Omni Hotel.. I must say Mr. Hoodbhoy is an asset for Pakistan and wish he would lead the country which would result in wonders. The politicians should take advise from him and act upon it.
What an outstanding article!! Great job Pervez and hope to see you soon in Houston.

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sufee-achee-bachee

Feb 10, 2019 04:19am

The very last sentence of this very sensible and wise article sums up everything, " Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy. "

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F Alam

Feb 10, 2019 05:05am

Dr Hoodbhoy's article is interesting. As a Bengali I never thought that in my life time I would see the epoch making changes and progresses throughout Bangladesh. But one matter made me confident when I was in primary school and high school in 1970s that was the access to education especially for girls and socio-economic disadvantaged groups. Bangobandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman nationalised around 40,000 primary schools in 1973. This was the game changer. The foundation laid by Bongabandhu was more or less followed by all subsequent governments especially the government led by Sheikh Hasina (1996-2001 & from 2008-till to-date). Today, almost every district has a medical college and/or university. Over 10,000 foreign students undertake their medical studies in Bangladesh now. The presence of Bengali academics, researchers and students in foreign universities (India, Europe, north America, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, North Asia (Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan), Africa and South America is an indicator where Bangladesh will be in next 20 years.

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Pakistanfirst

Feb 10, 2019 05:07am

Dear Dr. Hoodbhoy, what shocks me is Pakistan has such great thinkers and visionaries as you yet you are not part of our top leadership. Take care.

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THE MORNING STAR

Feb 10, 2019 05:21am

The comparison is like Apples and Oranges.
BD was always ahead of present day Pakistan in Education and literacy rate.
Plus Bengalis were always more moderate by temperament.
Pakistan on the other hand is situated on the NW of the Subcontinent and it has its own character and temperament. By its very location it is more prone to be drawn into the vortex of geopolitical upheavals.
It has a greater role in international affairs.
BD has limited scope in this sense.

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Sikandar

Feb 10, 2019 05:25am

They beat us with hard work and one party government

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Shakil Rai

Feb 10, 2019 05:41am

One can not disagree in principle, here. But the thing is right now we at war-- 5th generation war; whatever it means. Therefore, your ideas will be given due consideration, in due time, not right now.

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Pakistani american

Feb 10, 2019 05:54am

excellent article. Is there any one In Pakistan pay attention to it????

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SS

Feb 10, 2019 06:02am

@Shehryar Ashraf, good excuse. The main mistake for Pakistan is blaming others for its own failures. If you acknowledge your shortcomings you can overcome them.

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Bitter Truth

Feb 10, 2019 06:04am

Peace economy over war economy is the bottom line!

In the name of security, we have destroyed every institution in our country - all resources are directed towards military elite either by hook or crook. Have a read of Ayesha Sadiqa's book Military Incorporation of Pakistan.

The irony is it's getting even worse now.

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Sami

Feb 10, 2019 06:17am

Great article Mr. Hoodbhoy! There was a time I was hopeful... not anymore.

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Ganrad

Feb 10, 2019 06:48am

Professor is a treasure for all of South Asia.
He is the Abdul Kalaam of Pakistan.
I am confident that with Modi Hasina and IK in the helm of affairs in their respective countries (hope they stay put sjd deliver for sometime) the region will gallop forward. We will see a rerepwat or what happened in South East Aida in 90s.
To brothers in Pakistan:
Running a country is not a scheme or scam. There is no substitute to hard work. I think this is what IK believes and spreads among his people. It is a matter of time.
In us, we trust.

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R

Feb 10, 2019 06:59am

The only reason of their progress is bangladeshi people are patriot, hard working honest socially simple and self contented.

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khan

Feb 10, 2019 07:08am

Nice article but no match for Munir masala.

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Zeeshan Khalid

Feb 10, 2019 07:12am

@KRISHNAMURTHY, You agreed to all except the truth

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UD

Feb 10, 2019 07:22am

Very nice analysis. Time for some introspect for Pakistan. Where is Bangladesh after 50 years and Pakistan after after about 75 years of independence.

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Ravi

Feb 10, 2019 07:23am

Very good commendable article. There are few flaws though...There are no more border disputesand its settled 100 percent. So also there are hardly any water dispute. The relationship goes to prove that India will never invade another country. Its not only bangladesh but also Nepal and Bhutan hardly spends much on its military. Once again it proves that India loves a stable neighbour than a troubled one. Hope the politicians of Pakistan wake up at least now.

People of many countries have woken up to realities in other countries, where progress and development of people is priority of the government, thanks to the internet. Countries who favour or allow to continue an autocratic rule are going to suffer and have revolutions and unrest among the population!

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Idrecall

Feb 10, 2019 08:00am

The destruction of Pakistan is directly related to the Province of Punjab politicians adamant approach of controlling power and creating policies to keep other nationalties under their control. East Pakistan was a majority province but never was allowed to have any administrative authotity. Pak army at one point consisted of over 72% from Punjab province who always manipulated to gain control and used force and authority to control East Pakistan and same thing is going on with Baluchistan. No lesson learned ever.

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Ilyas

Feb 10, 2019 08:07am

Very informative article. Every Pakistani should read it.

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shoaib

Feb 10, 2019 08:20am

Gunter Grass once said “The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.” Bravo Dr. Sb, this like little voices will create a noise someday.

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Sujit Singh

Feb 10, 2019 08:20am

A must read article for every Pakistani.
It should be translated in Urdu and other regional languages and published in newspapers.

It will be an eye opener for many Pakistanis.

Please move ahead. We have a border now. Lets live in peace in our homes.

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Liaqat

Feb 10, 2019 08:46am

The security state mindset should stop now. Point

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i2i

Feb 10, 2019 08:52am

Very true sir.it is as simple as you explained. We only need to be a normal country and use simple common sense to get out of mess. No messiah required.

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Engineer

Feb 10, 2019 09:16am

"The IMF calculates Bangladesh’s economy growing from $180bn presently to $322bn by 2021." Can some body explain this - $142 billion increase in 3 years from $180 billion !. Author a physics professor believes this.

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alliasa

Feb 10, 2019 09:16am

One simple answer. Those short, dark, rice eating guys are less fertile.

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shah

Feb 10, 2019 09:27am

These are the facts, no political angling just bare fact. Welldone Dr, you are an asset of pakistan

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Khaled

Feb 10, 2019 09:49am

@Sacred voice, True

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A

Feb 10, 2019 09:51am

Excellent analysis, no less scientific than the author himself. Kudos Sir for being blunt and brave.
Wish politicians learned from people like Prof. Hoodbhoy.

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Gilgiti Minister on internet.

Feb 10, 2019 10:01am

Brilliant as always sir

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Adil

Feb 10, 2019 10:12am

Genius .Sir you have summarised all that is not well with current Pakistan.
Hope people stop their infighting and concentrate on development.
The current government should also try to take some lessons from this Article.

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Azam a Siddiqui

Feb 10, 2019 10:25am

Our first education minister from East Pakistan had posed this question,"How to organize research in Pakistan ?"We could not do that.Education was not the top priority'.Some of our leaders employed high sounding titles but they lacked sincerity of purpose and high caliber of deep thinking.At the time of Partition no Pakistani university was offering classes in M.Ed or PhD.Now we have have to organize Education Faculties at the world level.The nation can produce Educational leaders just as they had produced nuclear scientists.

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R K Pattath

Feb 10, 2019 10:26am

Hats off to a blunt , frank logical analysis. Great indeed.

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AR

Feb 10, 2019 10:33am

@Surendra Ghate,

Am still too traumatised from direct experience in the War in the 9 months 1971 to even reflect, let alone comment, on anything to do with that. Still living with the trauma.

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rama subba

Feb 10, 2019 10:40am

Pakistan will develop the day people like pervez hoodboy are made the leaders

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Indian

Feb 10, 2019 10:54am

The ratio of India China and Bangladesh of military personnel per thousand people hovers between 1 and 2. For Pakistan it is 8. Which says how much each country is spending on defence.

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Extinct volcano

Feb 10, 2019 11:04am

Question is when it's going to happen ? Who is going to challenge militablishment's hegemony? Who that messiah would be ? I can see no one --not only in the near but far away future.

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vjay

Feb 10, 2019 11:14am

It's not correct that Bangladesh lack intellectuals.

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Uzair

Feb 10, 2019 11:26am

While one is inclined to accept more readily the views of someone who has lived longer, is very highly educated, and generally appears to be sincere to our country, such as yourself. One can't help but point out that those views don't seem quite comprehensive. Economy and social development might have been ignored in favour of defense, but the latter doesn't necessarily be neglected to prop up the former. The real issue then, it would seem, is an adhoc governance system, instead of systematic governance. Should the system in force seem inadequate to address any presenting problem, it must be the system that is modified, instead of leaving it as is, and addressing the problem through extraordinary measures. Sadly, the current practice seems contrary to this, and in one's opinion, is pertinent to the prevalent circumstances.

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tipugd

Feb 10, 2019 11:34am

@Talha, yea but they didn't work in past as well.

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Hamid

Feb 10, 2019 11:38am

Reality,but generals won't be happy

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Tamza

Feb 10, 2019 11:42am

@Engineer, professor will say it is typo — 21% average annual growth. Not impossible, but very unlikely.

Very simplistic analysis. It was the military government of Ayub Khan which pushed economic growth in the East/West Pakistan in the 60s. How does he explain that?

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Khawar Saleem Aslam

Feb 10, 2019 12:09pm

The writer is missing a basic point: survival. As has always been and more so recently we have seen how countries and nations have been destroyed by the powerful. Pakistan will be no exception if it were not strong enough. After the Musharraf's efforts for rapprochement with India and BJP's rise in India, no doubt is left regarding defence of Pakistan.

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Ranajyoti

Feb 10, 2019 12:14pm

@Zaman Azad, according to you CIA is more authentic than WB in economy and statistics. What Bangladeshi people do in mideast not important, they earn more in mideast than average people of this subcontinent. And if earning disparity in Bangladesh is lower than pakistan, naturally they earn more than Pakistanis on average. Appreciate them, believe me I live among them (Bangladeshi migrants), they are really really hardworking and sincere.

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Khurram

Feb 10, 2019 12:30pm

When a scientist writes about International strategy and economic issues criticizing every tier, and couldn't produce a single invention or innovation, such things happen in a country.

@Ali, that's the key factor. Now this facility will no more be available to Bangladesh so it will be interesting to see how she performs in future.

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Shahid Anwar

Feb 10, 2019 12:39pm

Sometimes i really want to leave everything and join politics for the sake of my beloved people and do something like prisoning all the politicians and THE BOYS behind the bars so that we can breathe a life and can prosper on real terms.
BTW a seriously good write up.
Well done sir

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skumar

Feb 10, 2019 12:49pm

very nice article... For bengalis their language and culture comes first and are strongly rooted in identity/pride. Punjabis are also similar, however, unfortunately they allowed/sacrificed (in the name of unity)-their culture and language to be subsumed ..

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skumar

Feb 10, 2019 12:49pm

very nice article... For bengalis their language and culture comes first and are strongly rooted in identity/pride. Punjabis are also similar, however, unfortunately they allowed/sacrificed (in the name of unity)-their culture and language to be subsumed ..

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Vikas

Feb 10, 2019 12:56pm

@Zak, Where in the world do you come up with such Math? That is why Pakistanis aren't so brilliant in Math and Science. If the population was less then even the per capita income would have been more. Also the obvious that the resources available would be used by a lot less people. That is Health, education, sports nd in virtually every field.

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Nazmul

Feb 10, 2019 01:36pm

@Kaka,
Wonderful point !

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Nahar01

Feb 10, 2019 05:06pm

@Rashid Khan, well said

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Ibraheem

Feb 10, 2019 05:31pm

Nice written by our talented professor

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Abhay Mathur

Feb 10, 2019 05:34pm

Dr. Hoodboy makes very insightful points. Wanted to add that while India and Bangladesh have serious boundary and water issues, we have exchanged parcels of land 4 years back to maturely attempt to sort out things. That should have been added.

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MAKHAN

Feb 10, 2019 05:54pm

A bold and truthful introspection that has forcefully argued that old mindsets and ways of doing things would not solve neither the old nor the new challenges.

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Adhish

Feb 10, 2019 06:11pm

Please write weekly! I love your columns and keep checking every week & it’s so frustrating not to see a new one! Editors- please make prof. A weekly contributor!!

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Burhan - Indian Muslim

Feb 10, 2019 06:28pm

Bangladesh has played smart keeping good relations with US, India and China and reaping benefits for its economy and people. It never puts all its eggs in one basket.

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shahid

Feb 10, 2019 07:01pm

This article should be taught at colleges...

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Blue Indian

Feb 10, 2019 07:02pm

@AAhmed,
Ironic
Well, look into mirror & read your comment. :)

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Blue Indian

Feb 10, 2019 07:20pm

@Heyme, go ahead , m waiting to read more from you ... Debunk the myth sir

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Neshi

Feb 10, 2019 07:24pm

Again a masterstroke from Prof Hoodbhoy. Sir, unfortunately your views could be termed as very few 'evens' in a society of 'odds'.

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Maria

Feb 10, 2019 07:38pm

Great Article, however, I disagree with Mr. Hoodbhoy's stance that the creation of Bangladesh defies Two-Nation theory.

Separation of East Pakistan was a product of colonial mindset and associated derogatory approach of West Pakistan. Religion card on the basis of which Two Nation theory was formulated had no role to play in case of 1971 Dhaka Fall. Two Nation theory would have been out of window only if Bangladesh had decided to become part of India again in 1971, and that did not happen.

For socio-economic and political grievances rooted in East Pakistanis, they decided to be an independent state.

But, yes, one may say that other than religious reasons, other factors can also be held responsible for the separation or creation of an independent state.

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Kamath

Feb 10, 2019 07:45pm

A very honest self admission. Bravo professor!

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Sohail Hassan

Feb 10, 2019 07:54pm

Well written and yes all Pakistanis are responsible for lookong into themselves
Hope we wake up

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SkS

Feb 10, 2019 08:07pm

@Ahmed, Better analyst than any of your 'Politicallly Savvy Scientists'

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Rakesh

Feb 10, 2019 08:29pm

Economy of Bangladesh is 285 billion USD as on today

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mady

Feb 10, 2019 08:33pm

@Engineer, "$180bn presently to $322bn by 2021." Can some body explain"
It is presently $280bn.

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Naveed

Feb 10, 2019 08:39pm

The mirror shows our real face without makeup.

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SkS

Feb 10, 2019 09:22pm

@Fawad Kazi, Direct American Aid, aided the Growth of Early Sixtees. No Arabization.

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K S Lall

Feb 10, 2019 09:39pm

If Bangladesh is so advanced, why the banks here in USA freely buy and sell Pak rupee but not Bangladeshi taka? Also, in Bangladesh Emirates flies only to Dhaka, but to no less than eight destinations in Pakistan.

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mADHU lallmadhu

Feb 10, 2019 09:40pm

Very insightful piece!

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Raoul

Feb 10, 2019 09:48pm

Three things the aurthor has not taken intoi account, which are going to ensure pakistan becomes, apoart from a geostrategic and military superpower, also the next economic superpower -

1.CPEC - game changer
2.IK in office for the foreseeable 10 years at least
3.The real power of Pakistan Zindabad slogans on pakistanis- how it ensures they win matches like Champions Trophy, build a everlasting ond with the next world power, China-an all weather, all situation real partnership where China shall support us ; to the win against US and other hegemonic nations in Afghanistan with Afghan taliban firmly in pak corner, and many other examples.

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Justicefirst

Feb 10, 2019 09:48pm

We Pakistanis must admire the thinking and approach of Mr Hoodbhoy and wish Indians must too have one Hoodbhoy where minorities and Dalit lives in worst conditions.

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Lord Ickenham

Feb 10, 2019 09:54pm

They arent listening to you Dr.Hoodbhoy. They upped the defence budget by 19 percent !! Or is there a U-turn coming on that too?

Take heard Dr., atleast you have a fantastic set of journalists like you who can speak the truth to the powers that be !

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Avijit Dey

Feb 10, 2019 10:29pm

If only half the Pakistani population were of the writers mentality South Asia would be as good as Europe or America.

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Dude

Feb 11, 2019 12:18am

If everyone is happy, what else do we need.

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Dude

Feb 11, 2019 12:22am

Bangladesh doesn't have the same security challenges that Pakistan does. Yes our infrastructure could be alot better. End of argument.

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RAja Raman

Feb 11, 2019 12:41am

@Imran Bahattar, "Welcome to the club of the ostracised."

If the sane voices are ostracised, the consequences will be suffered by generations to come.

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Ravindra C Patel

Feb 11, 2019 12:47am

The difference of Culture. 90% of Bangladeshi's heritage is from Hindu culture whereas 50% Pakistani's heritage is from Arabian Culture.

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Ashraful Alam

Feb 11, 2019 01:01am

Excellent comments based on comprehensive facts and figures. My assumption, this is not only the opinion of the writer, but lion majority people of Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan are in the diplomatic pocket of USA, Russia, and China. They should understand this, and come forward to settle their bi-lateral problems mutually with a positive mind

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KKaur

Feb 11, 2019 01:14am

@Avijit Dey, What about the mentality of Modi et al?

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KKaur

Feb 11, 2019 01:15am

@Justicefirst, Right on the money!

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Dr Chatterjee

Feb 11, 2019 01:22am

@B.Patel. USA, Very true, in reality Bangladesh has become a colony of India!

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Dr Chatterjee

Feb 11, 2019 01:26am

@Srinivasan Kailasam, Very few really know how Farakha has damned Bangladesh ecology and economy!

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Upal

Feb 11, 2019 01:29am

@Kris, A reality check: How many readers have visited Bangladesh recently! Go and visit BD and the truth will dawn upon your! Economic data is not always a true representative of ground realities!

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shamsuddin

Feb 11, 2019 01:38am

Superb analysis. Numbers do not lie.

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Yousuf Siddiqui

Feb 11, 2019 02:15am

Very realistic and beautiful analysis why Pakistan is not as rapidly growing as Bangladesh Desh.

Imran Khan should learn a lesson, and instead of repeating several Time in the country, why he chose politics, and braging about his Cricket Career, should devote his attention towards the reason why Bangladesh Desh is progressing so fast.

I dont understand why brothers are still fighting each others.
The British sowed the discord. Both brothers are purchasing weapons, who is benefiting. I hope and pray all my brothers
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal,Bhutan, Srilanka, Maldives and Afghanistan become one country and coexist peacefully with China as does America and Canada.

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Truthseeker

Feb 11, 2019 03:12am

Situation has changed so drastically that now many Indian professionals are bound to work in Bangladesh..... Bangla leaders are more visionary and growth rate of Bangladesh competing with India......

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Mwaqar

Feb 11, 2019 03:28am

Excellent Article. 100% correct observation,

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Srinivas

Feb 11, 2019 03:53am

Why you think Dalits are living in worst condition in India? I am from Dalit caste and due to reservations, I could study in good universities and working in Software consultancy. Now I am not using reservations for my kids anymore. But Don't believe the movies taken by western people. They don't live in India.

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avtar

Feb 11, 2019 04:22am

@Syed ahmed, No one has prevented Pakistan building dams. Does not Pakistan bully its Sindh province by building dams upstream?

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MONIER

Feb 11, 2019 04:41am

Dear Sir, Grass always seems to be greener on the other side. I studied and lived in BanglaDesh in the late sixties and early seventy and had to face severe discrimination and hate being a west Pakistani. I had to come back without finishing my education. If Bangla Desh is suddenly so prosperous, why are they not integrating the poor muslim Bengalis (called Rohingyas) that have lost their homes and properties in Mynamar to settle in BD? Why BD is so silent to raise the issue of muslim Bengali speaking Rohingyas in word rights forum? In fact recently the world refugee agencies tried to help the Rohingya people by offering to help to build shelters but the Bangla Desh government denied the offer and instead asked that the people to be returned to Mynamar where they face certain death. Anyone listening please?

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Nasir Awan

Feb 11, 2019 04:42am

Excellent article. An eye opener.

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Sharath Chandra

Feb 11, 2019 04:58am

True and correct

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Amir Dewani-USA.

Feb 11, 2019 05:09am

The worst part of it all was ' You be there, we are here' slogan i.e. (Ham yahan tum wahan). Besides, indiscipline, military activism, and arrogance derailed the institutional system in Pakistan. Although there is no dearth of talents and natural wealth, but family oriented politicians, corruption, and personality cult ruined this beautiful country. And, even today those barons in Pakistan have no moral courage to admit mistakes. In the absence of meticulous management of resources, the country remains far far behind Bangladesh. Your scientific analysis is 100% correct. But, as they say: The honor and sanctity of a blind man's wife is at the mercy of God!

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atta mateen

Feb 11, 2019 05:21am

good point but the author has not provided the reasons behind the success of Bengladesh economy.

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Umair

Feb 11, 2019 06:28am

I sincerely hope this piece gets discussed in the next "Corps Commanders meeting" for them to reflect on.

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The lost soul 80

Feb 11, 2019 07:01am

Excellent article. People like him with broad thinking should have been either Pm or fm for Pakistan.

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The lost soul 80

Feb 11, 2019 07:02am

@Justicefirst, worry about your house first. India is the fastest growing economy as per IMF.

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Neha mumbai

Feb 11, 2019 07:47am

Hoodbhoy sir Namaste ji.

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octave

Feb 11, 2019 08:46am

Going by the number of Indian commenters on this article and this News papers various comment sections , it would bode well for Dawn to start an Edition from New Delhi also , it makes good Bussiness sense , Anybody listening at the Dawn head office ??? .

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NK

Feb 11, 2019 08:58am

Education, Education and Education

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Sham N

Feb 11, 2019 09:22am

Unbelievably frank and brutal for a Pakistani journalist to state this.

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naji

Feb 11, 2019 09:24am

Wonderful article and research of Mr Hoodbhoy. Pakistan as a political society is close to its danger level. Pakistan has to take drastic action in the following field without a calendar day change,
1. Introduce a strong scheme of family planning with proper implementation program.
2. Thorough program for education reform with solid background of technical education.
3. Abolish-ion of TRIBAL system, scrape WADERA (from Sindh), SARDAR (from Baluchistan), CHAUDHARY (Punjab) and KHAN (KPK) system from Pakistan.
4. Agricultural reform, land distribution and private ownership.
5. New implementable modern health policy.
Until and unless Pakistan will not adopt these step, Pakistan cannot start it journey a prosperous Pakistan.

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khan

Feb 11, 2019 09:26am

@Idrecall, Was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from Punjab too?

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ashin

Feb 11, 2019 09:41am

What is the basis of saying "..and the farcical nature of its democracy was exposed in the December 2018 elections"? Isn't it no better or worse than the recent Pakistani elections?

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Jag

Feb 11, 2019 10:00am

pNot why but how ex-East Pakistan is ahead of Pakistan. Any takers of actions in Pakistan listed by the writer?

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Bidur Adhikari

Feb 11, 2019 10:06am

If I truly say that it's good article not only from facts and figures, but also thought shift in the academia. But the Professor's position would still be unacceptable to majority mindset . Time will come to change but it's getting too long for the wounded tiger to heal with precarious health.

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Dania

Feb 11, 2019 10:25am

Well analysed

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Rashid Abbas

Feb 11, 2019 11:01am

Excellent Research based Articel

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Sam Of Mich

Feb 11, 2019 11:15am

@AAhmed, Please give credit where credit is due. Vast majority of Indians are very indifferent about Pakistan and cater to “live and let live” philosophy. If polls are taken, Pakistan will most likely not even beak Top 5 issues for Indians far behind issues such as development, unemployment, corruption, etc.

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Agreed

Feb 11, 2019 11:18am

@BK, If you count the numbers of comments you will appreciate, a lot of people indeed have read this article.

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Bilal Mustafa

Feb 11, 2019 11:22am

There should be an upvote feature on DAWN. Brilliant reality check.

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Sam Of Mich

Feb 11, 2019 11:28am

@Amin , Does China, with one party system, counts as temporary economic gain?

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secular

Feb 11, 2019 11:36am

Because bangladeshi people are much more intelligent than pakistani .

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syed faiq raza

Feb 11, 2019 11:45am

History reconciled!.
I quote
WISDOM IS THE NAME OF THE TRAIT OF REMEMBERING EXPERIENCES AND MAKING USE OF THEM (IMAM ALI A.S.)

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----

Feb 11, 2019 11:59am

Partially agree with You Sir. But one should also take into account how international politics affects Country's economy. Especially when international wars/ proxies are fought in the neighbouring country and foreign powers excessively interfere in domestic politics even encouraging and supporting dictators. No surprise, if foreign players want to play in the Bangladeshi soil, it will only bring disastrous results to the Bangla economy. It is unlucky that Pakistan is geographically situated at the critical juncture and every now and then the mighty powers flexes their muscles in Pakistan.

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Atif

Feb 11, 2019 12:06pm

Excellent and a article with a very positive tone.

Pak needs to reevaluate its priorities and must understand that in weapons they can't compete India. They need to compete India in human development, economy per capita, education, employment etc.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Feb 11, 2019 12:07pm

@ThisZebraHasSpots, The solution l suggested would have made a defence budget as zero, not a mere 70 percent cut.

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Vinayak Vaidya

Feb 11, 2019 12:11pm

There you are. Transform your war economy into peace economy and your people will get a chance at development.

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Sam Of Mich

Feb 11, 2019 12:23pm

Excellent data driven article Professor. Also mentioned several potential reasons contributing to such outcomes. These reasons need further in-depth analysis and discussions. Would be great if either you or others can venture into them at Dawn.

A good place to start will be Pakistan’s national identity and unifying factors. Options could be anti-India (counterbalance), religion (Islamic state and what kind – tolerant or strict?), economic development (capitalist or socialist?), etc. Analysis could include, pros and cons of options, potential outcomes and changes need to be made to align the current direction on the country with the option (option such as all of the above will and is not working for the country).

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Sajida

Feb 11, 2019 12:28pm

Bangladesh's NGO care about human development. It's govt has little interest. That's why has worse record of tax collection among developing countries and relies on regressive VATs. See Oxfam report.

It is not investing in basic education which is the route for prosperity-so it remians stuck in low wage dungeon because has not invested in basic education-unlike Vietnam!. Low wage dungeon is first stage of moving up value chain, not remaining stuck on it. Money made from low wage industry needs to be invested in upskilling workers-but that lesson BD has missed.

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Omar

Feb 11, 2019 12:31pm

An excellent analysis and article! Thank you very much for writing it. Will our govt and people take heed?

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Naya Pakistan.

Feb 11, 2019 12:34pm

@F Alam, Wishing Bangladesh all the very best, may Bangladesh progress, prosper, develop, and may the nation be a source of inspiration for the region as a whole, and especially to Pakistan, may Pakistan realize, that Bangladesh is a better example to follow, than Malaysia,Singapore,Turkey,China. But most of all believe in your own people.

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Manzoor

Feb 11, 2019 01:08pm

Kudos, Kudos, Kudos...but the quizzical minds want to know when will the esteemed professor of Physics will guide his students to become Einsteins, Feynmans and Hawkings !

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andy

Feb 11, 2019 01:10pm

@Srinivas, I am an Indian and I am very very proud of people like you. In my career I have met and worked with some dalits who are absolutely brilliant.May the deprived sections of Indian society rise and occupy their place on equal terms in our nation. And this is a wish from a forward caste person and I am sure many many forward caste fellow citizens would join me in this wish.

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shantanu

Feb 11, 2019 02:02pm

Great Analysis and perspective!!

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sourav ghosh

Feb 11, 2019 02:07pm

@Zak, seriously???

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sourav ghosh

Feb 11, 2019 02:10pm

@Heyme, do so

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Abhay A Joshi,Pune India

Feb 11, 2019 02:25pm

Excellent article! I was stunned to know that the writer teaches Physics!! Sir, you are good in economics and political science too..
Bangladesh has benefited from economical and social approach rather than the military approach. It has not put itself in any competitive mode vis a vis India. The current regime which is friendly with India has subtly received strategic protection from India,though not officially or in writing. This contrasts with Pakistan which has wasted all its energies in fighting with India. Hope someone in Pakistan military read and understand this article. Look at Bangladesh-has it become satrap of India? No.

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Sameer

Feb 11, 2019 02:52pm

Rarely do I agree with man. I wish he would have agreed that our civilian politics essentially creates opportunity for dictators with their corruption and nepotism. This circle has damaged us greatly.

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krishankant

Feb 11, 2019 03:06pm

Excellent article showing mirror to Pakistan.

If Pakistan can overcome few elite class that wants to continue confrontation with India, it can become better place to live. Pakistan can better invest in human development than in security.

Bangladesh has really done well and is also getting good support from India. Boundary dispute was solved recently and many more mutual agreements signed.

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Narinder Dogra

Feb 11, 2019 03:10pm

@Sanjiv,

Probably people in Pakistan cannot read!

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Rajah

Feb 11, 2019 03:14pm

Heard from an Indian friend, “ this professor is more dangerous to India than the whole Pakistani Army’

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krishankant

Feb 11, 2019 03:14pm

@Masterstroke, Pakistan also shares same 5000 years of history of successful re-creation. However, within 70 years, it is trying to search new foreign identity and that's the problem. On other hand, Bangladesh has accepted the 5000 year old identity and therefore successful nation.

@KRISHNAMURTHY, when done unfairly - this is the definition of bullying

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RA

Feb 11, 2019 04:19pm

Very good and factual analysis

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Ali Naeem

Feb 11, 2019 04:38pm

There is no better way to compare things than real statistics.. Good Effort Sir!

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Ali Naeem

Feb 11, 2019 04:39pm

The best way to compare things is through statistics.. Good Effort sir!

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sourav ghosh

Feb 11, 2019 04:45pm

@Abdullah Alvi, do not punch above your weight
India has zero interest in taking over Pakistan to so quit day dreaming and focus on what is really important

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srikanth

Feb 11, 2019 04:46pm

Excellent sir , everyone in the region should progress then only this region becomes peacefull

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Rao

Feb 11, 2019 04:57pm

@illawarrior, Pakistan is prepared to "cut its nose" to spite its neighbour

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Suman

Feb 11, 2019 05:00pm

Pakistanis will try to excute this writer for telling the truth. Camel urine drinking are not doing any good for pakistanis!!

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Valiya

Feb 11, 2019 05:01pm

Pakistan is part of Indus Valley Civilization. There was even a single sword or weapon did not find by archeologists in that areas that means a very peaceful and highly civilized people were existing. The same land became the cradle of violence due to foreign ideology. Rational thinking Pakistanis should search what is their real identity, now a days every information available in your fingertips.

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Rao

Feb 11, 2019 05:06pm

Bangladesh people are more level headed and hard working...it is as simple as that

Minorities @ 10% is a stabilizing force as they would rather rally behind liberals than radicals

Another gem from Professor relevant to anyone from any nationality who does not mind being self critical

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Rkk

Feb 11, 2019 05:23pm

What the author has done is- he has gone purely by facts and figures and nobody can dispute them. The inferences are very educative and have immediate lessons for the polity in Pakistan.

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Amber

Feb 11, 2019 06:46pm

Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ from the rooftops while obsequiously taking dictation from the Americans, Chinese, and Saudis has taken us nowhere.

And will not take us anywhere.

Mic drop.

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Shahid Hassan

Feb 11, 2019 07:17pm

Bangladesh has a very bright future and will become a model country for others to follow in 40-50 years .They have shown that having a national priority strategy that focuses on the development of people is the only way out of poverty . We are in an era of knowledge economy and the distance between the educated and uneducated is several times more in terms of opportunity when compared to the agro economy or industrial economy.

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GLY Mendon

Feb 11, 2019 08:09pm

@Farookh, GDP growth is an indicator but 7% of 180 Billion GDP and 7% of 2.5 Trillion GDP is not the same in real terms. However, Bangladesh is on right path. It does not have to arm itself to defend since it has relatively peaceful relationship with India. Ofcourse it cant afford to be antagonist. But Pakistan is not ready to leave its Panjabi/Pathan pride and wants to become a leader in Islamic world and be in a prefectural enmity with India resulting in total downturn in its economy and social life.

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Pankaj

Feb 11, 2019 08:09pm

To the point....!!!

Great article sir

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Pankaj

Feb 11, 2019 08:09pm

To the point...!!!

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Reaz

Feb 11, 2019 09:13pm

@Abdullah Alvi, bro, you are truly a Pakistani... you are the the kind of people for whom Pakistan need to exist in its current form.

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Jamil Soomro, New York City

Feb 11, 2019 09:18pm

Pakistan has in these last 70 years undergone through a period of trials and tribulations which the Writer has
not taken into consideration to even mention it in his article.

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Shahryar Shirazi

Feb 11, 2019 09:32pm

Congratulation to B'desh on the focus

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Mian

Feb 11, 2019 09:37pm

It is difficult to imagine that this Bangladesh was once a part of Pakistan!!!

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Vivek

Feb 11, 2019 10:06pm

Excellent article, Mr Hoodbhoy ! Very well said.. But the line "Pakistan must transform its war economy into ultimately becoming a peace economy" is inversely proportional to the idea of "Ghazwa-e-Hind" which has been so deeply engrained in the ethos of Pakistan and the Pakistani Military Establishment. So, Good Luck !

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Naseer

Feb 11, 2019 10:31pm

Nice and realistic article. One point I would like to disagree with the author is Militarily Pakistan cannot be weaker than Bangladesh and submit it self to Indian diktats, if it cannot match the defence budget of India atleast it has to be prepared to defend itself for any eventuality with India.

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AHAQ

Feb 11, 2019 11:00pm

After reading the article and comments, I say that someone needs to simply read and see the reports of child labor and low wage poor people working 12 hours a day in factories with little or no safety equipment and procedures to make the garments that sell at 1000's time prices than the cost and simply further enrich the elite wealthy class of the nation supported by the elected politicians. Only a few years ago there was a fire in one of these factories that killed many children and women. Human rights organizations world wide condemned the BD government for no enforcement of safety regulations in the factory.

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ali shah

Feb 11, 2019 11:04pm

Excellent read!

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John

Feb 11, 2019 11:08pm

In search of imaginary "strategic depth", Pakistan lost its footing. And very little has changed since 71.

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Kumar(Varanasi)

Feb 11, 2019 11:20pm

Most comments have overlooked some very obvious advantages enjoyed by Bangladesh over Pakistan which accounts for it's modest success over Pakistan:-

1) It is not paranoid about defence, yet so far no country has attacked it in the last fifty years.
Consequently it's defence expenditure is less and the money thus saved is available for economic development.
2)It has no geo strategic value.Consequently neither USA nor China is interested in it.

Therefore it was spared USA billions of dollars of aid which proved blessings in disguise in two ways:

a) It was spared USA kiss of death.

b) It knew that as a proverbial short and dark kid, no one would give it anything out of love and that he would have no other option then working hard to earn his keep . So it was forced to develop the habit of self reliance out of sheer necessity

So the national priority was economic and human development for sheer survival rather than world politics and international affairs and wars for glory and grandeur .

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Dude

Feb 12, 2019 02:24am

If Bangladesh is indeed doing better than Pakistan according to all experts on here, its because they had a lucky escape from govts of Bhuttos and Sharifs.

India can overtake any time he wants in terms garment export. India is just giving a room for Bangladesh to grow so that it can get cooperation in other areas.

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Navneet

Feb 12, 2019 08:32am

@Jamil Soomro, New York City, Yes, he has not. After all, he is just a PHD and a renowned physicist and you are from new york city! You should perhaps write an article in New York times telling how great Pakistan is from your point of view. Also mention that India and Bangladesh had absolutely no 'trials and tribulations' in the last 70 years!

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Sourya Das

Feb 12, 2019 09:00am

@Checkuroo R Venkat, its difficult

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Naya Pakistan.

Feb 12, 2019 10:18am

@Valiya, I could not agree with you more. Well said.

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rationalist

Feb 12, 2019 10:44am

@Hoodbhoy: "Water and boundary disputes with India are serious and Bangladesh suffers bullying by its bigger neighbour on matters of illegal immigration, drugs, etc. ".....That may have been the case when Khalida Zia ruled BD. But, in the past decade plus BD and India have solved all border issues. True, there is the issue of Teesta water, it is unsettled because of Mamata Banergee playing parochial politics. Also, most important, unlike Pakistan, BD spends very little (less than 1%) of its GDP on defense. Pakistan spends over 12% of its true GDP on its military (including salary, pension, capital military purchases, debt service due to military purchase, nukes etc.). Such a spending to match a neighbor that is 12 times bigger economically is suicidal and can't be sustained.

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Asad Munir

Feb 12, 2019 11:11am

A sad sad article.

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prafulla

Feb 12, 2019 11:19am

@krishna, My brothers brings shirts from US with tag of Made in Bangladesh, I have always found those shirts nice & durable.

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Karun Verma

Feb 12, 2019 11:42am

Excellent article, very good read.

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RAVEENDRA NATH

Feb 12, 2019 11:46am

"Thirsting for vengeance, Pakistan’s establishment could think of nothing beyond wounded honour and ways to settle scores with India". "CPEC or no CPEC, it’s impossible to match India tank for tank or missile by missile. Surely it is time to get realistic".
Will Pakistanis ever become realistic and join the mainstream and march forward to development - economic and social - and achieve the three Ps, that is peace, progress and prosperity or will continue to deny and cut their nose to spite their own faces???

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RAVEENDRA NATH

Feb 12, 2019 12:01pm

@Pak Patriot,
Sir, from the beautiful language, it seems you are also educated at Oaxford?

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Ranajyoti

Feb 12, 2019 12:04pm

@Manzoor, he is trying to create an environment, where future Einsteins, Newtowns can flourish unhindered. As a teacher this is his primary DUTY.

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AV

Feb 12, 2019 12:07pm

A well thought out article!

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Asif uddin

Feb 12, 2019 12:53pm

Impressive article

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Gaurav

Feb 12, 2019 12:58pm

Nawabs of UP, Delhi Rajasthan could not bear the idea of taking orders from Hindu leaders, hence they actively worked for idea of separate nation for Muslims. 70 years after the independence, it is for the World to see where the two nations are standing. I sometimes feel that just like East Germany and West Germany united throwing away the enmity between them, it is inevitable that sooner or later India and Pakistan will be united going back to their roots of Indus valley civilization. Imagine what a powerful nation that will be. A nightmare for all present superpowers in the World.

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Kashif Zulfiqar

Feb 12, 2019 12:59pm

Excellent article, enjoyed reading. A lesson for our decision makers.

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k p rao

Feb 12, 2019 01:28pm

@agakhan, Easier said than done.

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k p rao

Feb 12, 2019 01:39pm

@Faraz, You forget religious extremism. These are gifts from two Zees - ZA Bhutto and Zia. These drove the country to the edge of precipice and it is impossible for Pakistan to come back from this. Unless present PM can take drastic action and keeps armed forces away from governance.

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Shah

Feb 12, 2019 01:44pm

@Zak, economics is not your strong suit it seems. Did you think about fact that lesser population consumes lesser resources lower the debt burden? Without exception all the rick rich countries of the world are the ones with low population. Poorer countries have high population. why is that?

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k p rao

Feb 12, 2019 01:51pm

@Uzay Yazdani, But India had larger beaurocracy. But they were reigned by civil government.

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k p rao

Feb 12, 2019 01:56pm

@AAhmed, Will the leopard change its spots. No. Definitely no. So Mr. Hudubhoy,, Did you get answer to your enlightened article?

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k p rao

Feb 12, 2019 02:04pm

@Zak, Number crunching without thinking. If population decreases there will be more per capita income, there will be reduction in per capita expenditure cosequenty there will be lesser borrowing and less debt.

1) 43.05% of it came from China
2) 26.85% of it came from India
3) 10.61% of it came from Pakistan

Dawn will ignore the response I am 100% sure.

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Joe

Feb 12, 2019 02:09pm

Bangladesh has no geostrategic assets saleable to America, China, or Saudi Arabia. It also has no nuclear weapons, no army of significance, no wise men in uniform running the country from the shadows, and no large pool of competent professionals. "
To me sums up attitude of Pakistan

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LS

Feb 12, 2019 02:10pm

@Zak, You don't do population explosion to control a per capita debt statistic. If you have less population you need LESS debt in the first place.

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AK

Feb 12, 2019 02:28pm

Excellent article. Bangladesh worked very hard to overcome poverty and improve economy. Bangladesh also invested heavily for peace and law and order .Whereas Pakistan focused mainly on anti India tirade at the cost of economy and peace. Non state actors and military establishment further suppressed human development of Pakistan.

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LS

Feb 12, 2019 02:53pm

@Zaman Azad, Allegation of manipulation of GDP has been a constant by the opposition in India but pakistan DOES menipulate its data sent to UN. See the statistic of data reliability from pakistani it hovers around 75% reliable where as India's reliability is above 90%.

The point OP was making was per capita GDP. Do you think $1751 (Nominal per capita GDP) is enough for a person to live one WHOLE YEAR? Also you are using PPP numbers from CIA's website not nominal. Also GDP per capita is SAME as income per capita because GDP aim is to estimate the productivity of the nation.

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LS

Feb 12, 2019 02:59pm

@Riaz Haq, Having diversity is of no use when your exports and reserves are down and below Bangladesh.

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ABL

Feb 12, 2019 03:09pm

Wow! About 600 comments on this article. Someone should review these comments and make a summary. Would be another interesting read. Anyway, i searched for word 'cricket' in the comments section. Only 2. One was warning that cricket is not far behind and the other was Imran's bragging abt his past cricket performance. For those interested to compare visit cricket websites which provides current ranking for Tests, ODIs and T20s. For both team and individuals. Trust me, Bangladesh is not far behind Pakistan. Its only T20 which Pakistan is superior at the moment.

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mahbubul alam

Feb 12, 2019 03:40pm

Nice article.

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Asif

Feb 12, 2019 04:02pm

Very informative article, we should learn from history and try to be sincere to our country and it's people.

How can one write so sensibly is hard to imagine. Kudos to the writer for calling a spade a spade. Now we should wait for the reactions from all sides.

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BLUE KNIGHT

Feb 12, 2019 05:06pm

@SHAHID SATTAR,

"Admitting our mistake for fighting for a separate homeland.. "

Decisions based on GREED or FEARS are always wrong.. as erstwhile Muslim Elites of British India, wanted power and feared that being in minority, in Independent India, they won't be having a realistic chance of capturing power, thus they used religion to get a separate Homeland for Muslims, on which they could rule.. BUT AGAIN their fears came home to roost when they found out that in new Pakistan, Bengalis are more numerous than the others.. so they tried to devise all kind of mechanics to keep hold of the Power and deprive Bengalis of their fair share of sociopolitical rights ...BUT NOW such issues does not exist as Bengalis got separated.. BUT YES division of India was one among the greatest tragedies of for the people of the subcontinent..

Instead dividing the country, leaders should have negotiated the various kind of safeguards in constitution, for the rights of every class of the citizens.

Truth and facts are the only antidotes for the daily trolls who keep shouting at the top of their voices. Those are missing from the comments sections. Close to 600 comments and not a word from them. They know they cannot overturn the strong factual arguments presented by a learned scholar.

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BLUE KNIGHT

Feb 12, 2019 05:12pm

@SHAHID SATTAR,
"..should we go for uniting the two Muslim majority independent countries in the sub-continent back into one United India? Will that resolve all our issues and problems which exist today? Perhaps the worthy writer will enlighten us on the subject and the way to follow to achieve the objective?.."

Practically .. Not Possible.. BUT YES, leaving behind all the animosity generated by hostile propaganda & actions, like European Union, we too can have a loose federation.. That can be implemented step by step.. and i am DAMN SURE will be in the best interests of the people of the subcontinents..

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umar FROM DUBAI

Feb 12, 2019 05:31pm

Parvez saab, seriously NO WORDs will suffice to express the beauty of your brilliant analysis, Well done - Keep it UP !

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M Dosani

Feb 12, 2019 06:47pm

Another gem of an article from an internationally acclaimed writer. Thank you. Please keep it up sir atb

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True Indian

Feb 12, 2019 11:42pm

Pakistan must changes its perspective. Focus on its own citizens Health, Education and Standard of Living sectors. Motivate your citizens to start business and give loans for self employment. Put maximum import tax for import goods. Buy weapons only if export countries buys atleast 50% of total cost of goods exported by you. put such conditions.

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Ali D

Feb 13, 2019 04:53am

I am feeling depressed

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AR

Feb 13, 2019 05:03am

This is a good article no doubt. The facts are there about Bangladesh's growing economy and its positive approach towards human development. Power sector is doing better, no load-shedding. I was in Dhaka last year, found the economy booming with many shopping malls mushrooming the city. People have money to purchase either from the roadside shops or malls. Transport sector is also doing well, govt has plans for infrastructure development. Most of all both men and women are working side by side to the development of the economy. This development is contagious and spreading to the rural areas too,where women are involved with many agricultural works. Bangladesh is not fully dependent on garment sector, other sectors are not lagging behind. It is good to have other options open,good for the economy.